LAHORE: Chris Lynn was too hot to handle for Multan Sultans, despite a reasonably good score on the board, as he hammered his career-best 113 not out (off 55 balls) as Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by nine wickets to ensure a spot in the PSL 2020 semi-finals.
The 29-year-old, Australian, smashed 12 fours and eight sixes, for the first-ever PSL century from a Lahore Qalandars’ batsman.
Chasing 187, Lynn crafted a brisk 100-run opening partnership with Fakhar Zaman, who scored his second half-century of the season, that set the Qalandars on course to overhaul the stiff target with seven balls to spare.
Fakhar smoked seven fours and two sixes for his 35-ball 57.
Lynn also paired with Lahore’s skipper Sohail Akhtar for an unbeaten 91-run stand to escort the side over the line.
Multan rested Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Tanvir to play Bilawal Bhatti, Junaid Khan, Usman Qadir and Asad Shafiq.
Earlier, Multan Sultans had a sorry start, to their innings, with both openers back in the hut with just four runs on the board. Shan Masood (42 off 29) and Ravi Bopara (33 off 36) somewhat steadied the ship however the late-order onslaught by Khushdil Shah guided Sultans to 186/6 in 20 overs. Khushdil’s blistering 70 not out, came off just 29 deliveries with five fours and half a dozen sixes. He was particularly severe on Haris Rauf who went for 50 in three overs, including five sixes.
Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi and David Wiese dismissed two batsmen each, while Mohammad Hafeez picked up a wicket.
Despite the defeat, Multan Sultans finished the group-stage at the top of the points table with 14 points from six wins. Lahore Qalandars finish at the third spot with 10 points in as many games.