David Wiese’s heroics on the final overs of each innings of HBL PSL 7 Eliminator 2 against Islamabad United guided Lahore Qalandars to a dramatic victory in a roller-coaster to reserve their spot for the final against Multan Sultans in the final on Sunday.
David Wiese was the start of the night as his performance in each of the two innings of the HBL PSL 7 Eliminator 2 against Islamabad United in front of a packed to capacity Lahore crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday night guided his side Lahore Qalandars to a nail-biting victory in the final over to take his side in the final against the defending champions Multan Sultans on Sunday.
Weise first added the crucial 26 runs in the final over of the first innings that were bowled by Waqas Ahmed to give LQ a competitive target. Waqas also conceded a wide, leaking 27 runs in the over as Qalandars went from a seemingly below-average 141 for seven to 168 for seven total in a matter of six balls. Weise remained unbeaten with his powerful 28 off eight (followed by one four, three sixes).
The Qalandars all-rounder then conceded just one run off the four balls of the final over he bowled as Mohammad Wasim Jnr was run out and Waqas was nicely caught in the deep by Abdullah Shafique as United were bowled out for 162 with two balls to spare.
Player of the match David Wiese:
“Unbelievable game and unbelievable team effort. The last over with the ball became easier for me when Haris got the wicket before the over began. I wanted to bowl dot balls and we got a run-out also in the middle that made things easy. It has been amazing to play in front of such a wonderful crowd that has come out to support us all the way, it has been incredible.”
Scores in brief:
Lahore Qalandars 168 for 7, 20 overs (Abdullah Shafique 52, Kamran Ghulam 30, David Weise 28 not out; Liam Dawson 2-24, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-25)
Islamabad United 162 all out, 19.4 overs (Azam Khan 40, Alex Hales 38, Asif Ali 25; Haris Rauf 2-31, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-32, Zaman Khan 2-32)