Rizwan’s Resilience and Iftikhar’s Brilliance, Sultans Secure Hat-Trick of Victories

Muhammad Waqas

Lahore Qalandars:166/5 (20) | Dussen 54(37), Fakhar 41(36) | Ali 2/28 (4), Usama 1/25 (4)

Multan Sultans: 170/5 (19) | Rizwan 82(59), Iftikhar 34*(11) | S Afridi 2/25 (4), Zaman 1/52 

Multan Sultans successfully chased the highest total at Multan Cricket Stadium in Pakistan Super League. Sultans remains the best team so far in the 9^th edition of Pakistan Super League, as they are on top of the table after winning three consecutive matches.

Chasing 167, Multan Sultans struggled against the lethal bowling by Shaheen Afridi and Zaman khan, losing David Malan on golden duck and Reeza Hendricks in the third over.  However, a resilient partnership between Yasir Khan and Mohammad Riwan provided stability to the innings, before George Linde struck to dismiss Yasir, leaving Multan 53-3 in 8 overs.

David Willey was promoted up the order, who joined Rizwan to add important 75 runs in 51 balls at the 4^th wicket. Zaman Khan provided his team with a much-needed breakthrough by removing Rizwan who scored 82 off 59 balls. David Willey’s contribution of 25 runs kept Multan’s chase on track.

However, Mohammad Rizwan’s wicket proved to be a blessing in disguise for Multan as Iftikhar Ahmed turned the game on his head with a blistering unbeaten 34 off just 11 balls.

With 21 runs required off the last two overs, Iftikhar unleashed hit three boundaries and two sixes to Zaman khan, steering Multan Sultans to the victory with one over to spare.

Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars lost Sahibzada Farhan in the second over, courtesy of Mohammad Ali. However, Fakhar Zaman and Rassie Van Der Dussen partnership took Qalandars to 49-1 by the end of the powerplay. Fakhar’s smacked 2 boundaries and as many sixes, setting the tone for his team.

Van Der Dussen completed his second half century of the season by scoring 54 runs after facing 37 balls. Fakhar scored 41 off 36, before falling to Abbas Afridi in the 16^th over. Sikandar Raza’s 23 in 16 balls, Jahandad khan’s 16 off 9 and Carlos Braithwait unbeaten 15 runs off 8 deliveries driven Lahore to a total of 166/5 in 20 overs.

Turning Point:

Mohammad Rizwan's drop catch by Shaheen Afridi when he was playing at 40 could have been turning point for Lahore Qalandar. However, his resilient knock set the stage for Multan to successfully chase the target.