PSL: Defeated Multan by 21 runs, Lahore became the first team to reach the playoffs

 In a thrilling encounter at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Thursday, Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by 21 runs to become the first team to reach the playoffs. The Qalandars put in a dominant performance with both bat and ball, with opener Fakhar Zaman smashing a quick-fire half-century and Shaheen Afridi taking four wickets to seal the victory.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Lahore got off to a strong start, with Zaman and Sohail Akhtar putting on an opening stand of 61 runs in just 5.3 overs. Zaman, who has been in superb form throughout the tournament, continued his rich vein of form and scored a blistering 48-ball 83, which included eight fours and four sixes.

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Lahore managed to post a challenging total of 182 for six in their 20 overs, with Mohammad Hafeez (36) and Tim David (23 not out) also making useful contributions.

PSL: Defeated Multan by 21 runs, Lahore became the first team to reach the playoffs

In response, Multan got off to a shaky start, losing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the very first over. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan tried to steady the ship with a gritty inning of 66 off 50 balls, but he received little support from his teammates, with the next highest score being 23 from Johnson Charles.

The Multan innings never really got going, as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and they eventually fell short of their target, finishing on 161 for eight in their 20 overs. Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Lahore, taking four wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs, while Haris Rauf and James Faulkner took two wickets each.

The victory was a significant one for Lahore, as it not only secured their place in the playoffs but also took them to the top of the PSL table, with 10 points from seven games. The Qalandars have been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament so far, with Zaman, Hafeez, and Rashid Khan all performing consistently well.

The defeat was a major setback for Multan, who had been in good form coming into the match, having won three of their previous four games. The Sultans will need to regroup quickly if they are to make it to the playoffs, as they now sit in fifth place on the table, with six points from eight games.

With just a few games left in the tournament, the race for the playoffs is heating up, with four teams still in contention for the remaining three spots. The top four teams on the table at the end of the group stage will qualify for the playoffs, which will be held from March 18th to March 22nd.

The PSL has been a resounding success so far, with some of the world's best T20 players competing against each other in a high-quality tournament. The league has been a major boost for Pakistan cricket, providing a platform for local players to showcase their talents and learn from some of the best in the world.

The tournament has also been a major success from a logistical standpoint, with strict COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of players and staff. The matches have been played in front of limited crowds, but the atmosphere at the stadiums has been electric, with fans cheering on their favorite teams and players.

As the tournament enters its final stretch, the excitement is sure to reach fever pitch, with every game taking on added significance as the teams jostle for position in the race for the playoffs. The Lahore Qalandars will be hoping to maintain their excellent form and go all the way to the final, while