Qalandars vs Sultans, Final at Lahore, PSL 2023, Mar 18 2023 - Match Result

Congratulations to Lahore Qalandars and commiserations to Multan Sultans who end up on the losing side after a closely-fought nerve-shredding contest that went right down the wire! Shaheen Afridi blasted off, and his counter-attacking approach yielded him 44 runs off a mere 15 deliveries, it was a proper captain knock that gave Qalandars a par total on this pitch. Mirza Baig and Fakhar Zaman both got starts but just when they tried to cut loose, they were dismissed by Ihsanullah - who wasn't at his belligerent best tonight - and Usama Mir respectively. Abdullah Shafique played a gem of an innings on the big night, adding 65 runs and thereon Multan Sultans roared their way back into the game by removing Sam Billings, Ahsan Hafeez and Sikandar Raza in single figures. Qalandars progress was beset by the lost of these wickets in a quick succession but then Shaheen Afridi played an absolute blinder and galvanised the team. The skipper was the catalyst behind scripting the title win! Zaman showed heart, valour, skill and composure when it mattered the most and choked Sultans. Qalandars' catching and ground fielding was also sharp. Shaheen's first spell was not menacing but he compensated for that in the second spell and took the vital scalps of Pollard, Tim David, Anwar Ali and Usama Mir. But a major turning point was Rilee Rossouw's wicket when he dragged it back onto the stumps while trying to pull one away off the bacfkoot as Rashid ruffled him with his guile and spin.

Thank you for your company over the last 33 days and we hope you enjoyed our coverage. We'll see you soon for more cricket. It's time for me, Rvel Zahid to say goodbye on behalf of Binoy George, all our members of scoring and commentary team who brought you exclusive coverage of PSL 2023.

Imad Wasim gets the all-rounder of the tournament award.

Best fielder of the tournament goes to Kieron Pollard.

Mohammad Rizwan wins the best wicket-keeper of the tournament award (14 dismissals)

Ihsanullah wins the best bowler of the tournament award (22 wickets and a fifer)

Mohammad Rizwan wins the best batter of the tournament award

Ihsanullah bags the player of the tournament award (first bowler to win this award in the history of the PSL)

Emerging player of PSL 8 - Abbas Afridi (Multan Sultans) (23 wickets, economy-rate 9.45)

Spirit of Cricket - Peshawar Zalmi

Umpire of PSL 8 - Alex Wharf

PSL 2023 started with Qalandars defeating Sultans by a run. Ends with same result. Both matches involved Zaman Khan and Khushdil Shah on the last ball!

Shaheen Afridi: Credit to management, our players development program that gave us some fine talent. The momentum kept swinging throughout the game but we didn't give up at any stage. I think we need to show aggression as a fast bowler, I made up my mind if I get balls in my slot then I will go hard at it. I would like to dedicate this final to all the Pakistanis and I hope fans enjoyed the PSL. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success.

Mohammad Rizwan: Final is a pressure game, we thought we could have chased it given how the ball was coming onto the bat towards the end but we lacked the finishing touch. It was a difficult tournament because every team is tough to beat. We should give credit to the team because there was a notion that our bowling wasn't strong but our bowlers proved it otherwise.

David Wiese: I am pretty exhausted, so many emotions going through in the last two overs, momentum switching from one way to another. It doesn't help when 30000 people are screaming, but I think the team that stays calm wins the game and we had to stay calm and relaxed. I am still enjoying the game, and I will keep playing until I can

Zaman Khan: My heart was pounding in the last over but my captain gave me a lot of confidence and he told me to try my best and don't fear failure. I knew batters are anticipating yorkers so I bowled a few slower ones as well. Credit goes to our management who give us free hand and back us to give our 100 percent on the field.

Abdullah Shafique: The credit goes to the team management, the captain and all the players because we put in a lot of effort and we got the reward by getting the PSL trophy. There is pressure in a final and there is pressure to defend the title as well but our supported us a lot and I consider myself lucky to play for Qalandars.

Sam Billings: That's what T20 cricket is all about, good pitch, what a game of cricket! My first experience of cricket in Pakistan and the noise today is something I haven't experienced in a long time. Two of the best teams rightly made it to the final and what a game of cricket. The wicket of Rilee Rossow was a big moment, and Pollard's catch was another, it was a roller coaster so you just got to stay calm and bowl those yorkers. It's been amazing to be part of this group.

The fireworks are now underway! Lights up the Saturday sky in Lahore. The celebrations will continue till the wee hours of the morning! It was an absolute thriller and the final has lived up to the expectations, it was a see-saw battle and both teams fought their heart out

Shashi : "Atleast this PSL final is not one-sided. What a game!!!"

Hassan: "Well the PSL has ended and how!! What a match!! But I'd like to thank Rvel for entertaining us throughout this tournament. Also, publishing comments was terrific as well. Never have so many of my comments been published! Thank you and I'm sure you'll publish this as well :)" It's been a pleasure to bring you all the live-action! Thank you for your kind words.

Nabeel : "What about the two dots from Khushdil? Cost the game?

LAHORIA : "Even though he leaked 22 in the penultimate over, those 2 runs Rauf saved on the over throw ended up being the difference in the game. "

Raja Bilal : "We miss presence of Rana Fawad in ground :D he must be hapoy somewhere "

Abubakar Shahid: "I know the match is ended but in the hope i am posting that LQ won there first match in PSL8 with 1 run agains MS and now won final against MS with 1 run, its like future was already predicted."

Mustafa Moudi : "Well Deserved win for LQ and great way to end the tournament with a nai biting finish. Just a request, keep this tournament as PSL and not HSL - High Scoring League !!"

Riasat Ali Asad: "Cricket at it's best! Zaman Khan to you beauty!"

Kashif: "six years of patience and struggle following with 2 consecutive win. well done Lahore Qalanders"

Vinod Rajpal: "The pure value of a RUN in a Cricket Match, Lahore has won the PSL Finals by a single run !" You hit the nail on the head!

Mohyuddin: "Unfortunate for Lahore... There main bowlers leaked 100 runs in 8 overs."

Imran Khan: "You just can't keep Afridi(s) out …"

Usman: "What a poor display by rauf... Presenting full speed deliveries to a tailender... I don't know why these bowlers cant use their brains.... "

Bilal: "I don't like this unwarranted aggression from Qalandars in general and Shaheen in particular. No need to lash out every time after being hit for a boundary." A captain ought to remain calm

Brad: "Following the final from north England and feel that in the end it will all come down to the experience and calmness of Rizwan vs the inexperience and cockiness of Afridi. "