ISLAMABAD: In a one-sided contest on Wednesday, the Multan Sultans beat the Quetta Gladiators by nine wickets after fast bowler Ihsanullah delivered an impressive performance, taking five wickets.
The third match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8 took place at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Chasing a mediocre total of 111 runs after the Gladiators were bowled out for 110 in the first innings, the Sultans had an early scare when opening batter Shan Masood fell after scoring 3 from 5 balls.
In stepped an aggressive Rilee Rossouw and from then onwards, a partnership with skipper Muhammad Rizwan was enough to see the Sultans through to a comfortable victory.
Rossouw scored an unbeaten 78 from 42 balls while Rizwan made 28 from 34.
The Sultans, who were seeking redemption at home after losing to the Lahore Qalandars in the tournament on Monday, were on top of the game right from the word go.
Fast bowler Ihsanullah’s performance helped the Sultans deliver frequent blows to the Gladiators. Martin Guptill was the first casualty when he was caught at mid-on by Keiron Pollard off a Sameen Gul delivery. Abbas Afridi struck next, removing Abdul Bangalzai for 1.
Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed could only score 2 runs before he was bowled by Ihsanullah, who proceeded to pick the wickets of dangerous batters Jason Roy, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umar Akmal, and tailender Naseem Shah.
The right-arm pacer finished with figures of 5/12 from his four overs. Roy was the top-scorer from the Gladiators, scoring 27 runs from 18 balls.
Tailender Mohammad Hasnain offered some resistance to the Sultans, scoring 22 from 20 balls, which included a six as well. However, he was dismissed by fast bowler Sameen Gul and Mohammad Hafeez was the last wicket to fall at 110 before the teams headed back to the pavilion.
