Multan Sultans Outplayed Kings in All Departments

Muhammad Waqas

Multan Sultans: 185/2 (20) | R Hendricks 79*(54) | M Hamza 1/30 (4)

Karachi Kings: 130/8 (20) | S Malik 53(35) | M Ali 3/23 (4)

In the third match of 9^th edition of Pakistan Super League, the runner up of HBLPSL 8, Multan Sultans secured a commanding victory over Karachi kings.

Karachi kings faced strong challenge against a disciplined Multan Sultans bowling attack. Kings' batters were nowhere in the chase and restricted to 130/8.

David Willey put Karachi kings straight away on the back foot in the
third over by removing James Vince and Saad Baig off two successive deliveries.  Usama Mir also played a crucial role, maintaining an economical spell and claiming a wicket for just 14 runs. Contributions from Abbas Afridi (2/16) and Mohammad Ali (3/23) further stifled the Kings’ line-up.

Despite the efforts of Veteran Shoaib Malik, who top scored with 54 runs off 35 balls, and the contributions from skipper Shan Masood (30 off 31) and Kieron Pollard (28* off 29), Karachi Kings could not muster enough momentum to challenge Sultans’ total.

Reeza Hendricks scored unbeaten 79 off 54 

Earlier, Multan Sultans posted a commendable total of 185/2 on the board after being put into bat by Karachi Kings. Sultans got off to a contrasting start a captain Mohammad Rizwan fell LBW to Mir Hamza in the third over. However, Englishman David Malan and Proteas Reeza Hendricks turned the tide with lengthy second-wicket partnership.  Malan played a knock of 51 off 42 before falling to Daniel Sams in the 17^th over.

Hendricks on the other hand, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 79 off 54 deliveries, including seven boundaries and three maximums. His partnership with Khushdil Shah (28 off 13) further boosted the Sultans’ total.

For Karachi Kings, Mir Hamza and Daniel Sams managed to secure one wicket each.  

Turning Point

There was not a significant turning point in the game since Karachi Kings were on the backfoot right from the start, never really posing a threat in the chase.