LAHORE: Multan Sultans’ middle-order batters shone with crucial cameos as the table-toppers managed to beat Karachi Kings by seven wickets in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium.
Set to chase 175, Sultans’ opener – Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood provided a solid start; putting on a brilliant 100-runs partnership for the first wicket.
The pair appeared solid but remained a touch too slow as Shan lost his wicket in the 15th over in an attempt to race up the proceedings. He scored 45 off 41 balls with the help of six boundaries.
Rizwan, on the other hand, managed to accelerate his innings but he too, fell short in the 17th over as he slices one of Chris Jordan’s delivery. He top-scored with 76 off 56 deliveries; smashing eight boundaries.
Following his departure, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw provided handy cameos at the death to assist their side to seal a thrilling victory over Kings.
David scored 13 off seven balls, while Khushdil and Rossouw remained unbeaten with 21 and 14 each. Khushdil smashed three boundaries including a six, while Rossouw hit one boundary and a winning sixer.
For Kings, Mir Hamza bagged two wickets, while Jordan made one scalp.
Batting first, opener Sharjeel Khan and Joe Clarke supported Kings strongly after they lost their skipper Babar Azam for just five runs. The left-right-hand combination scored 72 runs together to put a solid foundation for the men in blue-red.
Sharjeel scored 36 including a boundary and two sixes whereas Clarke smashed 40 with the help of three boundaries two sixes.
In middle overs, Kings lost a couple of quick wickets as Shahnawaz Dahani and Blessing Muzarabani joined hands to take wickets. Muzarabani bagged Rohail Nazir and Dahani took Nabi to bring Sultans back in the game. Both the batter scored 21 runs each.
In the end, it was Imad who did a splendid job for his team, scoring 32 off 16 balls laced with five boundaries and a six.
For Sultans, Dahani took two while Muzarabani, Rumman Raees, Imran Tahir, and Khushdil Shah shared a wicket apiece.
