Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars - Tactics
Today saw the PSL kick off, and what a start to the tournament as Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by 1 run. 175/6 played 174/6. I prepared this tactical preview before the match, so let’s take a recap and see how things panned out.
Multan v Shaheen in the powerplay
With Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood only striking at 117 and 119 respectively against left arm seam, their matchup against Shaheen Shah Afridi was going to be a key factor in the game. The Multan openers seen off his first 2 overs, scoring only 11 runs, before Shaheen came back to take the wicket of Rizwan, meaning the pair scored 11 runs from 14 balls and losing 1 wicket. That 1 wicket proved to be a turning point with the set batter getting out, Multan falling behind the rate and ultimately losing by 1 run.
Lahore’s poor batting powerplays
Lahore have a poor record as displayed above over the last two seasons, but they negotiated the first 6 overs well, finishing 50-0. Debutant Tahir Baig making a nice 32(26). Multan were without Josh Little who has an economy of 6.1 and strike rate of 18 in the first 6 overs. Shahnawaz Dahani also didn’t operate in this phase. The start of a better trend in the powerplay for Lahore?
Multan versus spin
With 4 of Multan’s recognised top 6 having poor strike rates against off-spin (although Rossouw hasn’t arrived yet), Sikandar Raza would’ve been licking his lips at the prospect of bowling at this batting unit. However, his 3 overs went for 32 and he failed to trouble the Multan batters.
Lahore against left arm spin
With nobody in Lahore’s top 5 striking above 130 against left arm spin, this meant for a potentially tricky 8 overs to negotiate from Akeal Hosein and Khushdil Shah. However, Shah was not used which comes as a surprise. He could’ve got an over around the halfway mark to stem the flow of runs. Lahore played Akeal reasonably well as he went 4-0-31-1.
Two good death hitting teams
Lahore & Multan are the two best sides at hitting at the death which set up for an intriguing battle. Lahore made 45 for 2 from their final overs. Meanwhile, Multan added 40 for 4 as Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan nailed their yorkers to edge the Qalandars over the line.
Six hitting
Multan are statistically better set up to hit maximums than Lahore, but this proved to not be the case. Lahore won the 6 count 8-2. Rizwan and Shan Masood kept up with the 8.5 RPO target throughout the first half of the innings without taking too many risks, so didn’t really attempt any maximums. The six hitters of Miller, Pollard and Shah did their best but just fell short and Lahore bowled well to restrict them from hitting their maximums.
Stats: @Haarrre previews on
https://grassrootscricket.pk/