PSL 2023: Mohammad Rizwan leaves behind Babar Azam

Multan Sultans captain Muhammad Rizwan regained his place as the highest run-scorer during the season finale of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

During the second eliminator yesterday, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam removed Rizwan after scoring his 37th run in the match.

Earlier, Rizwan scored 516 runs. While Babar became the highest run scorer by scoring 517 runs. Overall, Babar scored 42 runs off 36 balls.

During the final against Lahore Qalandars at their home ground today, Rizwan hit two fours and once again topped the list with 524 runs.

Rizwan is the only batsman in PSL to score 500+ runs in three seasons. Babur has achieved this milestone in two editions.

Chasing a mammoth target of 201, Multan were 1-105 in 10.1 overs when this story was filed.

Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi played a phenomenal innings to help his team keep their hopes of defending the title alive. Shaheen scored 44 runs off 15 balls and also had a match-turning partnership with Abdullah Shafiq. He scored a quick 66 runs in 27 balls and gave Lahore a tough target of 201 runs to Multan.

Apart from Shaheen, Abdullah also played a sensible innings. He scored 65 off 40 balls which included eight fours and two maximums.

After a fast start, while Lahore scored 34 runs in the first three overs, opener Tahir Baig was dismissed by Ehsanullah on a fast short ball. The right-handed batsman scored 30 runs in 18 balls.

The wicket, combined with some good bowling, helped Multan stem the flow of runs as Lahore reached 82-1 at the halfway mark.

Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafiq added 57 runs in 38 balls for the second wicket but when they decided to increase the scoring rate, Multan scuppered the batting side’s plans with four quick wickets.