KARACHI, Jan 27 (Asia Free Press): The defending champion Multan Sultans on Thursday beat Karachi Kings by 7 wickets in the maiden match of the HBL PSL 7 at National Stadium Karachi.
After winning the toss, Multan Sultans opted to bowl first and restricted the home side to 124-5 in 20 overs despite after blistering opening partnership between the skipper Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan.
The opening batter Sharjeel Khan scored 43 runs from just 28 balls, including 3 sixes and 3 fours in his knock, while the skipper Babar Azam played a very slow
innings, scoring 23 runs to 29 balls.
Imran Tahir, who was awarded Man of The Match, played a key role to restrict the home side with a low total. He gave his side the opening wicket and also took a total of three crucial wickets including the hard-hitter Sharjeel Khan, Muhammad Nabi and Tom Lammonby. He gave away just 16 runs in his four overs’ spell for this three wickets achievement.
Chasing seemingly a low total, Rizwan played a captain’s knock as he scored 52 off 47 balls. Apart from Rizwan, Shan Masood scored 26 runs, hard-hitter Sohaib Maqsood 30 runs, and Tim David, who also ended the match in style with a massive six scored 12 runs.
The Kings’ bowlers could not perform up to the mark as they were already under pressure as the Babar Azam-led side had handed a meagre 124-run target to the Sultans, which they completed in 18.2 overs at the loss of three wickets.
Mohammad Nabi took two wickets and Mohammad Ilyas took one for the Kings.
Aleem Dar and Richard Illingworth were the field umpires and Ahsan Raza was the TV umpire for the opening match of the HBL PSL 7. Roshan Mahanama from Sri Lanka performed the duty of Match Referee.
