“There is no doubt that the HBL Pakistan Super League 7 has been a phenomenal success and this is largely due to the fact that we had amazing crowds, both in Karachi and Lahore. In my professional career, I have never seen such charged up, overwhelming, enthusiastic, lively, and supportive crowds, particularly in Lahore”, said Ramiz Raja as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“HBL PSL 7 profits jumped to 71 percent, the most in its history, with each franchise earning around PKR 900 million, again the most in HBL PSL’s history, and all before the first ball was even bowled. For next year, we aspire to take this league to the homes of all franchises and broaden its fan-reach”, he added.
Coming back to the final, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez’s splendid knock of 69 runs off 46 deliveries helped Lahore Qalandars post a challenging total of 180/5 from their 20 overs. In reply, captain Rizwan and Shan Masood kept the title-holders in the hunt with a 36-run opening stand. Nonetheless, both were dismissed in quick succession just before the completion of the Powerplay overs.
Masood’s run out was the turning point of the contest as the Sultans never recovered thereafter and kept losing wickets at regular intervals with the asking rate getting steeper. Tim David (27) and Khushdil Shah (32) tried to do the unthinkable with a 51-run stand for the sixth wicket but, the Lahore bowlers staged a remarkable comeback to bundle out Multan Sultans for 138 with three balls to spare.
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