PSL 3, Match 3 Review: Multan Sultans register two big wins in two days

What a season it is turning out to be for the debutants Multan Sultans, who managed to go past two star-studded contingents in the first two games. Three scintillating performances from of the most revered veterans in Shoaib Malik, Kumar Sangakkara, and Imran Tahir helped the Sultans defeat the rejuvenated Lahore Qalandars. The Qalandars would be kicking themselves for letting this one slip, but take nothing away from the Multan bowlers.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, the Lahore Qalandars were kept on the back foot right from the outset. Multan openers Sangakkara and Ahmed Shehzad provided a spectacular start for them and entertained the packed Dubai crowd thoroughly. Sangakkara played some vintage shots and took everyone back in time with his rendition.

Ahmed Shehzad anchored the innings whilst Sangakkara kept battering the bowling lineup. The duo added 88 runs for the first wicket before Shehzad got dismissed in the 11th over of the game. Number 3 Sohaib Maqsood failed to do anything significant and saw his stumps go for a toss-off Yasir Shah’s bowling.

In walked the skipper Shoaib Malik, who provided the exact push this innings needed. He started playing shots right from the outset and took the game completely away from the Qalandars, who were just about starting to gain momentum with a couple of quick wickets. Sangakkara completed his half-century in the meanwhile and the duo added 54 runs for the 3rd wicket.

Sangakkara was dismissed for a well-made 63 off 44 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes. In the next over, Kieron Pollard got dismissed for a diamond duck as he ran himself out without facing a delivery. Nevertheless, Malik kept his cool and ensured he stayed till the end to provide the Sultans a decent finish.

The Sultans ended up scoring 179 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Shoaib Malik ran himself out on the penultimate ball of the innings for a stellar 48 off 28 balls. Mustafizur Rahman returned with the best figures for the Qalandars with a 2/22 after his name. Yasir Shah picked up one wicket.

Multan bowlers too good for the Qalandars

Fakhar Zaman and Sunil Narine opened the innings and the duo got off to a decent start. Sohail Tanvir was not finding his rhythm and these both played pounced hard on him and the other bowlers. But Mohammad Irfan provided the crucial breakthrough, removing the dangerous Narine in the 4th over.

They lost their skipper Brendon McCullum for a duck, something which disappointed their fans a lot. But Umar Akmal and Fakhar Zaman came together well and stitched an outstanding partnership. Fakhar Zaman was in a mood to demolish everyone who came in the way and he spanked 4 sixes and a boundary en route to a 30-ball 49.

After adding 65 runs for the 3rd wicket, Umar Akmal fell for 31 and after a couple of overs, Fakhar Zaman too was dismissed one run short of his fifty. The Qalandars seemed well and truly in control and it was their game to lose from this point. A classic downfall followed as the McCullum’s men catastrophically gave up the match.

It all began with Junaid Khan picking up the first of the season and only the second in PSL history. He dismissed Yasir Shah, Cameron Delport and Raza Khan in succession in the 17th over and he was on cloud 9. They lost 6 wickets in a span of just 4 runs and the Multan bowlers were running riot. Imran Tahir returned with outstanding figures of 3/27. Mohammad Irfan and Kieron Pollard picked a brace each and they guided their side to a famous 43-run win at Dubai.

Brief Scores

Multan Sultans: 179/5 in 20 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 63, Shoaib Malik 48; Mustafizur Rahman 2/22)

Lahore Qalandars: 136/10 (Fakhar Zaman 49; Junaid Khan 3/24, Imran Tahir 3/27)

Player of the match: Imran Tahir