KARACHI: Khushdil Shah’s last-over heroics steered the Multan Sultans to a nail-biting victory against Lahore Qalandars in the third match of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition at National Stadium, Karachi.
Mohammad Rizwan led Sultans chased down 207 in the final over as Khushdil Shah smacked 18 off the first four balls to end the game. The groundwork had already been laid by skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood as they smashed blazing half-centuries.
They registered a 150-run stand until Rashid Khan dismissed Shan to pull things back. The left-handed stroked fourteen fours and a six in his 50-ball 83. He was also handed Player of the Match later.
Qalandars’ captain Shaheen removed Rizwan after getting hit for a six. Sohaib Maqsood looked set to complete the chase but there was a twist in the tale as Sultans lost Sohaib in the 19th over to Shaheen. However, Khushdil smashed three fours and a six off Haris and finished the game with ease.
Qalandar’s innings
Fakhar Zaman’s hard-hitting helped Qalandars put up an impressive score on the board. Shaheen had been put to bat first after losing the toss, but the decision did bear fruit, and the Qalandars were able to make their highest ever score of 206 for the loss off four wickets.
Fakhar Zaman made 76 off 35 balls, with the help of 11 fours and two sixes, while Kamran Ghulam smashed 43 off 31 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes.
The fall of wickets began in the ninth over when Khushdil Shah picked up the first and crucial wicket of Abdullah Shafiq (24), who was on a roll with his opening partner Fakhar Zaman.
Later in the 12th over, Imran Tahir took the wicket of Fakhar (76), piling up pressure on the Qalandars. Mohammad Hafeez was the third man to go for 16 of 12 balls and the man to dismiss him was Kushdil. Meanwhile, David Willey picked up the fourth wicket of Kamran Ghulam (43) in the 18th over.
Defending champions Multan Sultans were playing their second fixture today and are leading the points table with two consecutive wins. Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars were playing their first match of the season with Shaheen Shah Afridi as their captain.
Playing XI:
Multan Sultans: Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Imran Tahir, Imran Khan Sr, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ihsanullah
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Ghulam, Ben Dunk, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
