Tamim burns brightly but briefly as Lahore make PSL final

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal provided spark during his short innings for Lahore Qalandars as his side won the crucial second eliminator by 25 runs against Multan Sultans today to qualify for their first Pakistan Super League final.

His 20-ball 30 gave Lahore a good starte, which they built on to post 182 for six. 

Yesterday, he had signaled positive intent during his 10-ball 18 against Peshwar Zalmi and today he started well against the likes of Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Ilyas during an innings laced with five fours.

He miscued one early in his knock but managed to clear mid-off against Ilyas to get his first boundary and then unfurled a classical cover drive off Tanvir, getting down on one knee, to get things moving. Two slashed fours over point in the next over and a flick to square-leg for another boundary signaled Tamim's intent but his flame ended awkwardly, trying to paddle-pull a slightly short delivery from Junaid Khan and skying it for an easy catch. He fell in the fifth over with Lahore off to a good start with 46 runs  on the board in the crucial match thanks to his knock.

Opener Fakhar Zaman at the other end then got into groove, hitting 46 off 36 while David Wiese provided the finishing touch with a 21-ball 48 as Lahore managed 182 for 6. Shahid Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, bagging two wickets for 18 runs in his four overs.

In reply, Multan were shot out for 157 in 19.1 overs. Lahore's Wiese was the pick of the bowlers too after his feat with the bat, taking three wickets for 27 runs from four overs. Haris Rauf also took three wickets, conceding 30 runs from four overs. 

Multan's Adam Lyth scored 50 from 29 balls. 

Lahore will play Karachi Kings in the final on Tuesday evening.