Babar fights out but Multan Sultans overcome Karachi Kings

Abu Dhabi: Babar Azam fought hard for Karachi Kings but Multan Sultans bowled tight to win the match by 12 runs. 

Earlier, Khushdil Shah has guided Multan Sultans to 176/5 in 20 overs in 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six.

The hard-hitting batter scored at a strike rate of 137.50 and remained unbeaten on 44 off 32. In the last over, the southpaw stroked two fours and a six to Mohammad Amir.

It's less than what they had threatened, but @MultanSultans end up with a formidable total. Will it be enough to hold back Babar Azam and friends?#HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/KiVheCLQLZ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) June 10, 2021

Earlier, Multan Sultans lost debutant Rahmanullah Gurbaz (3) in the first over after put into bat by Kings’ captain Imad Wasim.

Wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton stumped Gurbaz as he tried to get back but was short of the crease.

They lost two wickets, but @MultanSultans ne powerplay mei party on ki hui thi #HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/s0w1A9pAzX

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) June 10, 2021

Sohaib Maqsood joined captain Mohammad Rizwan in the middle. He smacked 24 off Imad’s second over. He was undone by Waqas Maqsood in the following over. Sohaib scored 14 off 31 balls with the help of five fours and a six.

Highs and lows of life. @sohaibcricketer saw it all. #HBLPSL6 | #MatchDikhao | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/U8i2JrNesE

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) June 10, 2021

The tempo set by Sohaib was taken forward by Rilee Rossouw. The South Africa-born hammered 44 off 24 balls with the help of seven fours. Sultans had reached to 100-run mark in the 10th over. Thisara Perera took the price wicket of Rossouw in his first over.

In the same over, Rizwan (29 off 23) had to depart courtesy of a brilliant fielding by Najibullah Zadran. He tried to take the second run but Walton finished the run-out impressively to remove Sultans’ skipper. Rizwan’s supporting role came to an end on a score of 109.

Kings’ bowlers hold the proceedings from 12th to 15th over. Sultans managed to add 21 in four overs and also lost the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer.

Kings’ managed to contain Sultans till the 18th over but Sultans added 28 off the last two. They finished on 176/5 in 20 overs.

For Kings, Perera bagged 2/12 while Imad and Waqas bagged one each. Mohammad Amir gave away 42 in his four overs while debutant off-spinner Qasim Akram conceded 34.

Teams

Karachi Kings: Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Martin Guptill, Najibullah Zadran, Thisara Perera, Chadwick Walton (wk), Imad Wasim (c), Qasim Akram, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Amir, Waqas Maqsood

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Shimron Hetmyer, Khushdil Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Imran Tahir, Imran Khan