ISLAMABAD: In yet another Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8 cliffhanger, the Multan Sultans narrowly defeated Karachi Kings by three runs on Wednesday to pull off a last-ball victory, with Muhammad Rizwan's maiden PSL century the highlight of the night.
Multan Sultans' captain Mohammad Rizwan (R) plays a shot as Karachi Kings' wicketeeper Matthew Wade watches during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 cricket match at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on February 22, 2023. (AFP)
The formidable Sultans finished at 196-2, as the team's in-form skipper Rizwan rained boundaries at the stadium. The right-handed batter, who had already scored two half-centuries from the four matches that the Sultans have played so far in this year's PSL, remained unbeaten on 110 from 64 balls. His knock consisted of 10 fours and four sixes.
The Sultans' skipper got ample support from his opening partner Shan Masood, who scored an impressive half-century (51 runs from 33 balls) before former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik dismissed him. The aggressive Rilee Rossouw walked in next, making 29 runs from 21 balls before he was dismissed by Mohammad Omar.
However, the Kings had an apt response for the Sultans as well, giving them a run for their money. James Vince smashed the Sultans' bowlers all around the park, scoring an impressive 75 runs from 34 balls. He smashed seven boundaries and six sixes before he was run out by Usama Mir.
Mir was instrumental in picking up the first wicket for the Kings, trapping opener Matthew Wade leg before wicket when he scored only 20 runs from 14 balls. Haider Ali disappointed by making only 12 runs before Khushdil Shah dismissed him.
Kings' skipper Imad Wasim remained unbeaten on 46 runs from 26 balls, taking the fight to the Sultans by smashing five huge sixes. Needing five runs off the last ball, Wasim was unable to finish the game for the Kings with a six, managing only a single run off the last ball.
Ever since losing the opening match of the tournament to Lahore Qalandars, the Sultans have won four consecutive matches. The 2021 PSL champions have beaten Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, and the Karachi Kings in a row.
The Kings, on the other hand, started the tournament on a low note, losing three consecutive matches to Zalmi, United, and the Gladiators. However, Imad Wasim's side found form in its last match against arch-rivals Qalandars, beating them convincingly by 67 runs to win their first match of the tournament.
