Ton-up Lynn leads Lahore to maiden PSL semifinal.

Byline: AZHAR KHAN

Clinical Chris Lynn hammered 52-ball hundred to lead Lahore Qalandars to their maiden semifinal appearance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 with a thrashing nine-wicket victory over high-flying Multan Sultans in an empty Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lynn, who had displayed his hard-hitting skills in the recent Abu Dhabi T10 Tournament to walk away with man of the series award, maintained his fabulous form in the PSL as well and played some swashbuckling knocks for Lahore Qalandars and played crucial role in his side's crucial victories. In his 55-ball 113 runs, he smashed eight sixes and 12 fours to help Lahore chase Multan's 187 runs target.

'It's great to get triple figures. I love playing in the day, but it was important to get to that semifinals after five years of trying,' Lynn said and added: 'It was difficult playing in an empty stadium but you have to create your own energy when fielding.'

Lynn, who was also player of the match, crafted a blistering 100-run opening partnership off 54 balls with another opener Fakhar Zaman, which helped their side easily chase the required target in 18.5 overs for the loss of just one wicket. Fakhar struck his second half-century of the PSL 2020 as he slammed an impressive 35-ball 57 runs, laced with seven fours and two sixes.

Usman Qadir, son of legendary Pakistan leg spinner Abdul Qadir, got the only success in his maiden PSL appearance this season, when he had Fakhar stumped in the ninth over. After Fakhar's departure, captain Sohail Akhtar joined Lynn and hit an unbeaten 19 to ensure the victory with seven balls to spare. Lynn continued to punish Multan's bowlers all over the dial and landed his side home safely in 18.5 overs.

Earlier, left-handed batsman Khushdil Shah hit a strutting 70 runs off just 29 balls to help Multan post 186 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets in allotted 20 overs. Khushdil came to the crease, when Multan were struggling at 79-3 in 11 overs but his arrival steadied his side's innings as he played sensibly and punished Lahore bowlers at his will, which also gave respectability to Multan's total.

In his swashbuckling knock, Khushdil smashed fabulous five fours and superb six sixes. The 25-year-old showcased his batting prowess in the death overs as well as he thumped Haris Rauf for two and three maximums in the 17th and 20th overs respectively and dispatched Dilbar Hussain for three fours and a six in the 18th over as...