KARACHI: Multan Sultans held their nerve to edge past hosts Karachi Kings by 11 runs in a tightly contested Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday, sealing their fifth win of the season.
Chasing a challenging 208, the Kings were bowled out for 196 in 19.4 overs as the Sultans delivered a disciplined bowling performance to defend their total.Karachi made a brisk start, with openers Saad Baig and Jason Roy finding early boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their 29-run stand was broken by Arafat Minhas, who dismissed Roy for a quick 16 off nine balls, including two fours and a six.
Arafat struck again soon after, removing Salman Ali Agha for just two, leaving Karachi at 41-2 in 4.1 overs. The Kings slipped further in the powerplay when Peter Siddle sent back Saad Baig for 21 off 15 balls, reducing them to three down.
Reeza Hendricks and captain Moeen Ali then steadied the innings with a valuable partnership, adding 67 runs and taking the total past 100. Hendricks looked set for a half-century but fell for 49 off 32 balls, with five fours and two sixes, as Mohammad Imran broke the stand.
Moeen followed soon after, scoring 27 off 23 deliveries before being dismissed by Ashton Turner, leaving Karachi struggling at 129-5.Abbas Afridi tried to keep the chase alive with an aggressive knock, helping the Kings cross 150. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Momin Qamar dismissed Khushdil Shah cheaply, while Arafat picked up his third wicket by removing Shahid Aziz for a first-ball duck.
With 23 needed off the final two overs, Abbas and Hasan Ali launched a late charge, raising hopes of a comeback. But Siddle struck a crucial blow, dismissing Abbas for a fiery 34 off 16 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.
Karachi’s hopes faded in the closing moments as Adam Zampa was run out, followed by Hasan Ali, who also fell to a run-out after scoring 23 off 10 deliveries, bringing the innings to an end.Earlier, Multan Sultans produced a strong batting display after being put in to bat first, posting 207-7 in their 20 overs against Karachi Kings.
The innings, however, did not begin well as Khushdil Shah gave Karachi an early breakthrough, removing Steve Smith for a duck in the third delivery of the second over.Awais Zafar and Josh Philippe then steadied the innings with a positive partnership. The duo rotated strike well and took the score past 50, adding 50 runs for the second wicket to rebuild momentum.
Khushdil struck again to break the stand, dismissing Philippe after a quick-fire 44 off 23 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. At that stage, Sultans were 77-2 in 7.2 overs.Shan Masood joined Awais Zafar and the pair kept the scoreboard moving, guiding the team past 100. Zafar continued his good touch but was eventually removed by Khushdil for 36 off 27 balls, hitting five fours and a six.
Karachi tightened their grip further in the next over when Moeen Ali got rid of Shan Masood, who made a brisk 46 off 25 balls with three fours and three sixes. The Sultans were 135-4 in 13.2 overs.
Arafat Minhas and captain Ashton Turner tried to push the innings forward and crossed 150, but Moeen struck again to dismiss Turner for 11 off 11 balls.Hasan Ali then joined the wicket-takers list, removing Arafat Minhas for 17 off 12 deliveries, leaving Sultans under pressure at six down.
Adam Zampa added another blow in the 19th over, sending back Mohammad Nawaz for 12 off 12 balls, reducing Sultans to 174-7 in 18.2 overs.In the final over, Mohammad Imran provided a late flourish with powerful hitting, smashing boundaries and two sixes to lift the total past 200. He remained unbeaten on 26 off just eight balls, while Mohammad Wasim stayed not out on seven.For Karachi Kings, Khushdil Shah was the pick of the bowlers with 3/35. Moeen Ali took two wickets, while Adam Zampa and Hasan Ali claimed one each.
