LAHORE: Usman Khan played a commanding 96-run knock, followed by Usama Mir’s six-fer to help Multan Sultans register a thumping 60-run victory over Lahore Qalandars during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Multan Sultans solidified their position at the top of the PSL 9 points table, while Lahore Qalandars are lying at the bottom after losing six consecutive matches this season.

While chasing a mammoth 215, Lahore Qalandars bundled out at a meagre 154 with three overs to spare. Lahore Qalandars got a flying start to the pursuit as they raised a 54-run opening pair between Sahibzada Farhan (31) and Fakhar Zaman (23) inside the power play. However, Multan Sultans’ bowlers removed both batters in six deliveries spanning over two overs to reduce the home side to 56-2 in 6.3 overs. Rassie van der Dussen and Kamran Ghulam attempted to help Lahore Qalandars recover with a 33-run partnership.

However, Faisal Akram spoiled the party as he dismissed Ghulam (12) in the 10th over with 89 runs on the board. Sikandar Raza then came out to bat and smashed two sixes to score 17 off seven before he also fell prey to Akram. Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Afridi promoted himself up in the order but could not help his side get out of the trouble and became the first victim of Mir. Van der Dussen top-scored for Lahore Qalandars with a cautious 30 off 22, which featured one boundary and one six before he also fell to Mir courtesy of a brilliant catch by Mohammad Rizwan in the outfield. Van der Dussen’s wicket was followed by the dismissals of George Linde and Jahandad Khan in the same over of Mir, reducing the home team to 132-8.

Mir struck twice in his next over to complete his six-wicket haul and bundle Lahore Qalandars in 17 overs. Carlos Brathwaite remained unbeaten at 14 off seven. Mir’s bowling figures read 6-40 in four overs, while Akram claimed 2-25. Earlier, Multan Sultans opted to bat first but Lahore Qalandars drew first blood with captain Shaheen Afridi castling opposing captain Mohammad Rizwan in the first over.

But the Sultans made a comeback quickly with a brilliant 70-run partnership between Reeza Hendricks and Usman Khan before Sikandar Raza struck to dismiss the former. Hendricks scored a 27-ball 40 with the help of seven boundaries including one six. Khan continued his onslaught and was involved in a one-sided partnership with Tayyab Tahir, raising 77 runs in only 40 balls for the third wicket.

Tahir scored only 21 runs and was sent to the pavilion by Carlos Brathwaite with the scoreboard reading 151 in 15 overs. Iftikhar Ahmed joined Khan and wreaked havoc with a blistering unbeaten cameo of 40 runs from 18 balls, which featured two boundaries and three sixes. Khan on the other hand scored 96 runs from 55 balls, laced with 13 boundaries, including two sixes but missed his hundred as he got out in the final over.

Multan Sultans finished their innings at 214-4 in their allocated 20 overs.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 29 2024

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