PSL 9 points table after Multan Sultans beat Karachi Kings

Mohammad Rizwan's men restricted the home team to 169/7 after posting 189/3 to bag a 20-run win

By Web Desk
March 03, 2024
Multan Sultans now have 12 points in seven matches. - PCB

Table-toppers Multan Sultans solidified their spot on the points table after becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.

Mohammad Rizwan's men restricted Karachi Kings to 169/7 after posting 189/3 to bag a 20-run win.

They now have 12 points in seven matches while the home side sit at fifth with four points in six games.

Pakistan Super League 2024 Points Table

PSL 9 points table. - ESPNCricinfo

Chasing a considerable target of 190, the Kings managed to amass 169 for the loss of seven wickets in the allocated 20 overs.

The home side experienced an unfavourable start to the chase, losing two wickets—Tim Seifert (1) and James Vince (7)—within the batting powerplay, with just 28 runs on the board.

Following the setback, skipper Shan Masood teamed up with Shoaib Malik to briefly steady the run chase.

The pair batted sensibly, adding 53 runs for the third wicket before Usama Mir dismissed Masood (36) in the 10th over, denting Kings' recovery.

Malik then formed a brief partnership with Leus du Plooy (12) before both fell in successive overs, causing the Kings to slip to 99/5 in 13 overs.

Veteran all-rounder Malik top-scored for the Kings with a 28-ball 38, featuring five boundaries.

In the 17th over, the Kings lost another wicket when Muhammad Irfan Khan returned after scoring a 19-ball 23.

Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz offered valuable resistance in the death overs with a brilliant 41-run partnership, which concluded on the penultimate delivery. However, the Kings fell short of securing their third victory in PSL 9.

Hasan scored a brisk 17 off eight deliveries, while Nawaz remained unbeaten with a 17-ball 27, featuring three boundaries and a six.

For the Sultans, Usama Mir claimed two wickets, while David Willey, Chris Jordan, Khushdil Shah, and Mohammad Ali each dismissed a batsman.

Earlier, captain Rizwan's decision to bat first paid off for the Sultans as they amassed a substantial total on the scoreboard, courtesy of an extended partnership during the second wicket.

The Sultans faced a challenging start to their innings, losing Reeza Hendricks (13) when the scoreboard read just 16 runs in the second over.

Following this early setback, Usman joined his captain Rizwan in the middle, and the duo initiated a remarkable counterattack.

The partnership lasted for over 15 overs, contributing 148 runs to the Sultans' overall score.

Usman played a central role as the primary aggressor in the impressive partnership, while Rizwan (58) provided stability before eventually departing in the 18th over after achieving a careful half-century.

The Sultans encountered another setback in their batting expedition when Iftikhar Ahmed (4) fell to the first delivery of the penultimate over, bowled by Hasan Ali.

But, Usman Khan stood firm and reached his second PSL century in the final over with a six over deep square leg off Mir Hamza.

Usman remained unbeaten, scoring 106 runs off 59 deliveries, adorned with 15 boundaries, including five sixes.

Blessing Muzarabani led the bowling attack for the Kings, with Hasan securing one wicket.

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