PSL 9: Multan Sultans set 190-run target for Karachi Kings

Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to bat first paid dividends for his side as they racked up a massive total on the board, courtesy of a marathon second-wicket stand.

The Sultans had a dismal start to their innings as they lost Reeza Hendricks (13) with just 16 runs on the board in the second over.

Following the early debacle, Usman joined his skipper Rizwan in the middle and the duo launched an astounding counterattack.

The pair batted for more than 15 overs and added 148 runs to the Sultans’ total.

Usman was the core aggressor of the magnificent partnership while Rizwan anchored through before finally perishing in the 18th over after a cautious half-century. He scored 58 off 44 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

The Sultans then sustained another blow to their batting expedition when Iftikhar Ahmed (4) perished on the first delivery of the penultimate over, bowled by Hasan Ali.

But Usman Khan stood his ground firm and brought up his second PSL century in the final over with a six over deep square leg off Mir Hamza.

Usman carried his bat all the way through and scored an unbeaten 106 of 59 deliveries, laced up with 15 boundaries including five sixes.

Blessing Muzarabani led the bowling attack for the Kings while Hasan made one scalp.

For the unversed, Multan Sultans are at the summit of the PSL 9 standings with 10 points in six matches while Karachi Kings are fifth with four points in five matches.

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), James Vince, Tim Seifert, Leus du Plooy, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mir Hamza, Zahid Mahmood, Hasan Ali, Blessing Muzarabani.

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Reeza Hendricks, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usma Mir, Mohammad Ali, Faisal Akram.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 14, Multan Sultans 6, Karachi Kings 6, NR 2