Today, Multan Sultans secured a 55-run victory over Karachi Kings in Match 3 of HBL Pakistan Super League 2024 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Match Summary
Multan Sultans scored 185 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 20 overs.
Karachi Kings managed to score 130 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Result: Multan Sultans won by 55 runs.
Match Analysis
Multan Sultans, last year’s runners-up, began HBL PSL 9 with a strong performance, defeating Karachi Kings by 55 runs at their home ground, Multan Cricket Stadium. Reeza Hendricks and Dawid Malan both scored half-centuries to help the team reach a total of 185 runs in the first innings. Karachi Kings, in response, could only reach 130-8 within their 20 overs.
After winning the toss, Karachi Kings captain Shan Masood chose to field first, inviting Multan Sultans to bat. Sultans faced an early setback when left-arm pacer Mir Hamza dismissed captain Mohammad Rizwan on the first ball of the third over. Rizwan departed after scoring a quick 12 runs off 11 balls, including two boundaries.
On his HBL PSL debut, Hendricks immediately took control, aiming to make the most of the powerplay overs. Partnering with Malan at the crease, the South African opener forged a strong 121-run partnership for the second wicket, boosting the team’s total.
Malan reached his half-century before being dismissed by HBL PSL debutant Daniel Sams in the 17th over. The left-handed batsman returned to the pavilion after scoring 52 runs off 41 balls, hitting four boundaries and one six.
Khushdil Shah, the next batsman in, thrilled the crowd with a rapid unbeaten 28 runs off just 13 balls, including four boundaries. An unbroken 47-run partnership between Khushdil and Hendricks propelled Multan Sultans to a total of 185 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Hendricks, who remained unbeaten on 79 runs off 54 balls, displaying seven fours and three sixes, was awarded the player of the match for his outstanding performance. He also emerged as the top run-scorer of the game.
Sams and Hamza were the only bowlers who managed to take wickets for Karachi Kings.
In pursuit of 186 runs, Karachi Kings faced a shaky beginning. Opening batsman James Vince (5 runs off 4 balls, including 1 four) was caught by Mohammad Ali at third man, as David Willey induced a thick outside edge on the second ball of the third over.
On the very next delivery, Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig was dismissed for a golden duck, leaving Karachi Kings struggling at 10-2, all thanks to Willey’s bowling prowess. The left-arm pacer’s impressive performance with the new ball validated Multan Sultans’ decision to select him as the first pick in the HBL PSL 9-player draft.
A 52-run partnership for the third wicket between Shan and veteran Shoaib Malik provided some stability to the Karachi Kings’ innings. However, it came to an end in the ninth over when Shan (30 runs off 31 balls, including 4 fours and 1 six) was caught by Willey off the bowling of leg-spinner Usama Mir.
Mohammad Nawaz partnered with Malik in the middle. The duo added 37 runs to the total before right-arm pacer Abbas Afridi dismissed Malik in the 14th over. Malik had to depart after scoring his 83rd T20 fifty, making 53 runs off 35 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
In the same over, Nawaz was caught at extra cover by Hendricks for just seven runs, adding to Karachi Kings’ woes as they continued to struggle.
The situation worsened for Karachi Kings in the 15th over when right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali, making his debut for Multan Sultans, took two wickets while conceding just one run. In his following over, he dismissed Hamza for a duck.
Keiron Pollard hit two sixes in the penultimate over in an attempt to narrow the gap. However, with 67 runs needed in the final two overs, the game had already slipped out of Karachi Kings’ reach.
Ali was the standout performer among Multan Sultans’ bowlers, securing three wickets while conceding just 23 runs in his four overs. This stellar bowling effort played a crucial role in Multan Sultans’ comprehensive victory over Karachi Kings. Abbas, who took two wickets for 16 runs in three overs, and Willey, who gave away 22 runs for two wickets in four overs, also contributed to Ali’s impressive performance. Usama Mir also claimed one wicket in the match.
Match Stats
Fall of wickets for Multan Sultans
- 1-17 (Mohammad Rizwan – 2.1 overs)
- 2-138 (Dawid Malan – 16.1 overs)
Fall of wickets for Karachi Kings
- 1-10 (James Vince – 2.2 overs)
- 2-10 (Saad Baig – 2.3 overs)
- 3-62 (Shan Masood – 8.6 overs)
- 4-99 (Shoaib Malik – 13.2 overs)
- 5-100 (Mohammad Nawaz – 13.4 overs)
- 6-101 (Daniel Sams – 14.3 overs)
- 7-101 (Hasan Ali – 14.5 overs)
- 8-113 (Mir Hamza – 16.6 overs)
Playing XI for Multan Sultans
- Mohammad Rizwan (WK/C)
- Dawid Malan
- Reeza Hendricks
- Yasir Khan
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Khushdil Shah
- David Willey
- Shahnawaz Dahani
- Usama Mir
- Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Ali
Playing XI for Karachi Kings
- Shan Masood (C)
- James Vince
- Saad Baig (WK)
- Shoaib Malik
- Kieron Pollard
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Daniel Sams
- Mir Hamza
- Amir Khan
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Hasan Ali
Match Details
Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024, 7:00 pm
Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Toss: Karachi Kings elected to bowl
Officials
- Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)
- TV Umpire: Faisal Afridi (Pakistan)
- Match Referee: Ali Naqvi (Pakistan)
