Sultans vs Zalmi, Final at Abu Dhabi, Jun 24 2021, Pakistan Super League

RESULT
Final (D/N), Abu Dhabi, June 24, 2021, Pakistan Super League
PrevNext
(20 ov, T:207) 159/9

Sultans won by 47 runs

Player Of The Match
65* (35)
sohaib-maqsood
Player Of The Series
428 runs
sohaib-maqsood
Match centre 
Scores: Binoy George | Comms: Varun Shetty
Scorecard summary
Multan Sultans 206/4(20 overs)
2/26 (4)
Peshawar Zalmi 159/9(20 overs)
end of over 202 runs
PZ: 159/9CRR: 7.95 
Sameen Gul7 (11b 1x4)
Mohammad Irfan0 (5b)
Blessing Muzarabani 4-0-26-2
Shahnawaz Dahani 4-0-38-0

1.21am Fireworks, confetti and music - MULTAN SULTANS HAVE LIFTED THE TROPHY. A first for them, and they'll be hoping the first of many. This team has been delightful to cover. As has the tournament - thanks for sticking around with us through these quite strange timings. We hope it's been fun. On behalf of Binoy and Sreshth, and the rest of the team, this is Varun signing off. Have a good one!

Md. RIzwan: (winning captain and keeper of the Tourament) Credit to god, who took us from bottom to the top tonight. Credit to our managers as well, who've made it so comfortable for us during this second leg. Finals are pressure games - you can't avoid that in the final. We discussed that and brought it down to two things - it would either be pressure of batting first or batting second. So it began like that, the pressure of playing out the new ball, and then we took it from there. When you go for the win, you need to ignore the noise. With Maqsood we felt he wasn't getting enough of a hit and then we decided to push him up and it's paid off. And our bowlers have been fantastic throughout.

Wahab Riaz: Playing a final is a big deal. The way we've played throughout this tournament, have to credit my team. But we didn't play well today, they played much better than us. I think the decision to bowl first was fine - we've been saying from the start that we leak runs in the back end, and that's why we bowled. But our collective efforts of our team have been great, particularly rushing back here for the second leg. Whether we've won or lost, we've done it as a team. No blame games. We've seen some good young bowlers in this tournament - guys like Dahani, Imran - should be given a lot of domestic experience so they get much better under pressure in the next few years.

Sohaib Maqsood: I got a lot of confidence over the domestic season. In the PSL I hadn't established myself. But here the management showed faith and sent me up the order, particularly when I started batting No. 3, that helped turn things around. I'd taken a break from red-ball cricket for a year and worked on my skills. I was given responsibility as well, that helped. But it mostly came down to my form. I don't want to do anything different - if I get a chance, I'll play with the same kind of mindset and aggression. Credit to the captain and management here who said it doesn't matter if I fail and that I should play my game.

Shahnawaz Dahani is the Emerging Player of the Tournament. And he wins the best bowler award.

Sohaib Maqsood is the Player of the Match, and he wins the best batter award. And he is also the Player of the Tournament! Quite a day for him, eh? One win after another, right through the day.

Usama Yasin: "Shouldn't be Dahani "Player of the tournament" his bowling was more impactful...No?"

Basim: "I didn't argue about the other awards. But i don't care even if you call him emerging player. DAHANI has been ROBBED of the Player of the Tournament. We all watched the tournament to watch him. He was the star of the whole show. He deserved this. "

1.01am Psst, roll call, anyone still hanging around? The presentation is taking a while coming!

Mir: "I heard a nick on the final ball of Peshawar's innings. Can I take DRS now while we await the presentation?"

Saad: "Yessss.. still here... present misss"

Azhar Mahmood: Dahani is always smiling, whether he's been hit or now. The whole team lights up. It's like we've found a new Shoaib Akhtar. This is just a start for him, we'll work on his outswingers, on his inswinger. There are things I will write down in a report for the Pakistan bowling coach all the things he needs to work on.

Dahani: This was my first year - Multan Sultans showed faith in Dahani and Dahani repaid. Now we're both PSL champions.

Muzarabani: I'm really happy. It was really good, really tough cricket. You have to get it right against the guys who take you on, it was good, a good learning experience. Especially Andy it's been really nice. No pressure, especially when I go for runs. He supports me and says just keep going buddy. [Interview interrupted by Dahani calling Muzarabani his big brother]

My apologies if I miss out transcribing some of these players - it's a man a minute at the moment!

Tahir: I'm just working on my six-pack , that's why I sprint. I'm seeing my wife and child after a month-and-a-half, this is for them. My role is to come in and take wickets. But my first two overs I didn't come in with that approach, with Malik in there, was trying to bowl dot balls. This is great, it's been like a family for a month. I like to thank our owners, when people didn't have an belief in us, they showed faith.

Masood: It starts from the ownership. The model we have, the backroom staff we have.

Rossouw Thankful that it paid off today, and thankful to the team that I played tonight. I like to think that I switch on in big games. Need a bit of luck in this game and it came off today. All of the bowling has been phenomenal [and then his interview is interrupted by screaming team-mates]

Camper: "I hope the PSL teams pick up a few more Zimbabwean players next season..Muzarabani has added pure flavor. I would like to see guys like Luke Jongwe (with his celebrations) here too and ofcourse the super talented Wesley Madhevere."

Muhammad Mubeen: "You know what a break can do? A table topers (LQ) were knocked out in the second leg, on the other side, another team (MS) from the bottom of table has won the PSL title."

Faizan Ahmed: "Multan Sultans turnaround this season is definately one for the record books. From bottom of the table to playing qualifier, defeating favourites Islamabad United and now winning the PSL."

12.36am We have brand new PSL Champions! Multan Sultans have completed their fairy tale turnaround in the best way possible. A maiden final, a maiden title. This must feel so so good. Not so much for Zalmi - they were in the their fourth PSL final, and for the third time they finish runners-up. Don't think there will be many who would begrudge Multan this victory - they have consistently been the best side in this second leg. What a moment for the franchise that had to wait four seasons to make the final. And when they got there, all their big guns showed up. First with bat, then with ball to stop Zalmi in their tracks during a threatening powerplay. The nerves of overs 6-12 and the scoring rates, ultimately meant Zalmi had far too much to do.

19.6
Muzarabani to Sameen Gul, no run

beaten! Well and truly beaten. Short and wide outside off, swings and misses - and that is the story of this final for Zalmi

They've managed to take it to the last ball

19.5
Muzarabani to Sameen Gul, no run

yorker at leg stump, jammed down towards long-on

JBez: "The TV commentator's dryly delivered "Oh, good leave" when Irfan pulled his bat out of the way of a ball passing half an inch over the top of off on the last ball of Imran Khan's last over is one of the funniest things I've heard during a cricket match in a very long time." --- Wouldn't get that from a top-order batter!

19.4
Muzarabani to Sameen Gul, no run

full slower ball at off stump, slugged off the inside half to deep square

19.3
Muzarabani to Sameen Gul, no run

slower ball at a length on off stump, clears the front leg and slogs to deep midwicket and refuses the run. Might as well get as much practice as possible when you can in these times...

19.2
Muzarabani to Sameen Gul, no run

yorker outside off, looks to drive and is beaten

19.1
2
Muzarabani to Sameen Gul, 2 runs

full and wide outside off, stretches out and has a hack. Clears point

Multan's players and staff off the field have been huddled and waiting to run into the field. Can Blessing end their wait?

end of over 195 runs
PZ: 157/9CRR: 8.26 RRR: 50.00
Mohammad Irfan0 (5b)
Sameen Gul5 (5b 1x4)
Shahnawaz Dahani 4-0-38-0
Imran Khan 4-1-27-2

Taimoor Shabbir: "For all the individual brilliance, MS have been brilliantly led by the inimitable Rizwan. There are no superlatives that can do justice to what he brings to this team. His tactics have been spot on and he has brought out the best from his unit at the most opportune moments. Brilliant to watch! "

18.6
Dahani to Irfan, no run

solidly blocks a full toss. It's headed for off stump but Irfan gets in the way

18.5
1
Dahani to Sameen Gul, 1 run

top edge is just past Rizwan. Slower ball, short and wide outside off. Steps out and throws his hands at it, manages to clear the keeper

18.4
Dahani to Sameen Gul, no run

bouncer following him down leg side and he ducks to leave

18.3
4
Dahani to Sameen Gul, FOUR runs

sweetly struck to the long-on boundary. I like this for Sameen, poor lad's being bullied with bouncers and taunts. Gets one back - Dahani bowls an overpitched one at middle stump and is promptly drilled!

Jawad: "Whatever you guyz say, the creadit goes to Muzarabani for dismissings destructive batsmen and giving MS bowlers a real hope"

18.2
Dahani to Sameen Gul, no run

short and at middle stump again, steps out and looks to hoick it. BEaten

18.1
Dahani to Sameen Gul, no run

bouncer first up and Sameen is quick to duck under that

Umair Zaidi: "Dunno if you agree or not, Rizwan should also be the captain of Pakistan T20 side, he has shown his mettle again and again. On top of it, he showed perseverance, courage and grit, coming from very last to the top defines his true leadership qualities. And most wonderful part of his captaincy is, it didn't harm his batting abilities. I am not saying Babar is a bad captain or anything less but he posses different set of qualities. Pakistan will be wasting Babar."

end of over 181 run • 1 wicket
PZ: 152/9CRR: 8.44 RRR: 27.50
Mohammad Irfan0 (4b)
Sameen Gul0 (0b)
Imran Khan 4-1-27-2
Imran Tahir 4-0-33-3

Dahani now PLEADING to take the 19th over. And Rizwan grants his wish. Top wicket-taker of the league. Been so instrumental to their success - can he seal the maiden trophy for them?

17.6
Md Imran Khan to Irfan, no run

left alone. Short of a length and climbing over off stump. Exposes the stumps and leaves

Jawwad: "This is too unfair... Raising our hopes when it was 58 from 24... And then one over changing it all "

17.5
Md Imran Khan to Irfan, no run

oh they're bullying the No. 11 now. Short slower ball outside off, he has no clue how to respond to it. Doesn't even attempt to play it

17.4
Md Imran Khan to Irfan, no run

good length and sliding on at the stumps, clears the front leg and has a swing at it. Mistimes it completely

17.4
1w
Md Imran Khan to Irfan, 1 wide

short and down leg side, past him quickly

Hamid: "First! WHAT. A. RIPPER from Rizu Boi... Second! In what circumstances can Imran Tahir complete his hat-trick??? Will he have to wait for next PSL opening game or any T20 wicket would do??? Curious!!! " ---- Only a massive change in laws will do it - a hat-trick has to be taken in the same match

17.3
Md Imran Khan to Irfan, no run

inswinging yorker at middle stump, jammed back towards the bowler

AbdullahCheema: "RIZWAN for player of the tournament!!!"

Multan fans, how are you liking all this red across your screens?

17.2
W
Md Imran Khan to Amad Butt, OUT

Rizwan leaps to hold on! Five wickets in 14 balls! Short of a length and rising outside off, clears the front leg and looks for the pull. Gets a top edge that balloons over RIzwan and he times the jump perfectly. They take a review, a hopeful, desperate one. One designed to keep Md. Irfan firmly seated. It won't change a thing

Amad Butt c †Mohammad Rizwan b Imran Khan 7 (6b 1x4 0x6) SR: 116.66
17.1
Md Imran Khan to Amad Butt, no run

low full toss at leg stump, flicked to deep square

end of over 172 runs • 3 wickets
PZ: 151/8CRR: 8.88 RRR: 18.66
Amad Butt7 (4b 1x4)
Imran Tahir 4-0-33-3
Sohail Tanvir 4-0-35-1

Rizwan went to his two seasoned bowlers, back to back. And it has dismantled this chase completely.

16.6
W
Tahir to Mohammad Imran, OUT

add a third! The googly not picked. Short of a length and ripping in from outside off. Looks for the cut and gets an inside edge onto the stumps. Tahir sprints towards the dugout and pats his chest as he celebrates. Yes, Tahir, you've done it. What a bowler, what an over. It is Multan's to lose now

Mohammad Imran b Imran Tahir 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
Best performances - batters
Spike Graph
Wagon Zone
Sohaib Maqsood
65 runs (35)
6 fours3 sixes
Productive shot
pull
17 runs
2 fours1 six
Control
66%
RR Rossouw
50 runs (21)
5 fours3 sixes
Productive shot
cover drive
10 runs
1 four1 six
Control
76%
Best performances - bowlers
Imran Tahir
O
4
M
0
R
33
W
3
ECO
8.25
FTYFGSGS
OFFLEG
RHB
1W
1W
LEGOFF
LHB
1W
Sameen Gul
O
4
M
0
R
26
W
2
ECO
6.5
FTYFGSGS
OFFLEG
RHB
1W
LEGOFF
LHB
1W
Match details
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
TossPeshawar Zalmi, elected to field first
Series
Season2021
Player Of The Match
Player Of The Series
Series resultMultan Sultans won the 2021 Pakistan Super League
Match days24 June 2021 - daynight (20-over match)
Umpires
TV Umpire
Reserve Umpire
Match Referee
Language
English
AskESPNcricinfo Logo
Instant answers to T20 questions
Zalmi Innings
<1 / 3>
Pakistan Super League
TEAMMWLPTNRR
IU1082160.859
MS1055101.050
PZ1055100.586
KK105510-0.115
LQ105510-0.589
QG10284-1.786