Khanewal-hailed off-spinner Ali Majid Shah replaced right-arm speedster Ihsanullah in Multan Sultans’ squad for the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

According to the details, the PSL 9 technical committee approved Sultans’ request to replace Ihsanullah with Shah.

Ali Majid Shah has thus far played 17 T20s and picked up 16 wickets with the best bowling figures of 3/27.

Notably, the right-arm pacer has been bowling in the nets but could not receive the green signal from the medical team and was consequently ruled out of the entirety of the ongoing extravaganza.

Ihsanullah played a pivotal role in Sultans’ run to the final of last year’s edition as he ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, picking up 22 wickets in 13 matches.

The Sultans, however, appear unfazed by his absence as they occupy the top spot in the PSL 9 standings with eight points in five matches.

But the 2021 champions face a stiff challenge from Quetta Gladiators, who are second with six points from four matches.

Notably, the Sultans ended the Gladiators’ winning streak on Sunday to maintain their dominance at the top of the table.

The home side, courtesy of Mohammad Rizwan and Reeza Hendricks’ half-centuries registered a formidable total of 180/4 on the board.

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Chasing a mammoth 181, the Gladiators had a slow start and lost Jason Roy in the third over with a mere 16 runs on the board.

Saud Shakeel played an entertaining 24-run knock from 13 balls, which featured four boundaries and one six before David Willey sent him back to the pavilion.

Skipper Rilee Rossouw joined Khawaja Nafay on the crease and powered Quetta Gladiators to make a comeback with a 62-run stand in just 38 balls.

Rossouw played a quick knock of 30 runs from 18 balls which included two sixes and a boundary but fell to Aftab Ibrahim as Khushdil Shah pouches a low catch.

This proved to be the turning point as Multan Sultans’ bowlers picked timely wickets to deny Quetta Gladiators’ comeback.

Nafay played a 36-run knock from 31 balls with the help of two boundaries and as many sixes before perishing in the 15th over with 124 runs on the board.

Sherfane Rutherford smashed two sixes during his cameo of 21 runs from 14 balls, while Akeal Hosein remained unbeaten with 9 off 13.

With 23 needed off the final over, Quetta Gladiators managed only nine runs, finishing with 167-9 as Abrar Ahmed (12) got out on the final ball.

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