Afridi’s nerve-wracking last over gives Multan Sultans thrilling win over Karachi Kings

Multan Sultans Abbas Afridi went from zero to hero with his baffling last over of the innings to help his team defeat Karachi Kings by 3 runs in a thrilling battle in the 11th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight on Wednesday at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Karachi Kings should blame themselves for this defeat as they lost momentum twice in the match to remain on the losing ground.

Opener James Vince gave them a hurricane start and the Kings were on course for an easy win but his run out changed the scenario of the match.

Sultans were sure winners till the 18th overs but Imad Wasim and Ben Cutting again turned the balance in their favour but failed to take their team home.

Multan Sultans captain Muhammad Rizwan hit a maiden PSL century to help his team pile up a handsome total of 196-2 against Karachi Kings.

Rizwan remained unbeaten at 110 off 64 balls hitting four sixes and 10 boundaries. He reached three figures mark in just 60 balls after completing his half century in 42 balls.

CENTURY! 💯

What a moment for @iMRizwanPak 🌟#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/1RPY1ABhhK

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2023

Maiden #HBLPSL 💯 for the Sultan @iMRizwanPak 👑#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/rNZc3SgApQ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2023

After putting into bat, Rizwan and Shan Masood off to a brisk start as Multan raced to 50 runs in first power play.

Shan raced to his half century in just 31 balls hitting six boundaries and a six. Veteran Shoaib Malik broke the opening partnership when Shan was caught by Imran Tahir at deep backward square leg. Multan were 85-1 in 10.2 overs.

A rollicking ton by skipper @iMRizwanPak and a wonderful fifty from @shani_official gets @MultanSultans to a mammoth total 👏

Can @KarachiKingsARY chase this down?#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/eWUBrdibLQ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2023

Rilee Rossouw joined Rizwan and played a supporting role mostly. Rizwan upped the momentum of his innings and started attacking Kings bowlers all around the ground as he added 109 runs for second wicket with Rossouw. Rossouw fell in the last over bowled by Muhammad Umar when Imad Wasim took his catch at extra cover. He made 29 runs off 21 balls hitting four boundaries. New man in Kieron Pollard added two more runs for Multan as they give a 197 runs target to Karachi for a victory.

Raining sixes in Multan! 🤯@iMRizwanPak, take a bow 🫡#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvKK pic.twitter.com/HCi7Dgx7gN

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2023

For Karachi Kings, Malik 1-29 and Umar 1-44 were the only wicket takers. Imad Wasim leaked 20 runs in his two overs while Aamer Yamin gave away 36 runs in his three overs. Akif Javed gave away 33 runs in his four overs while Imran Tahir also leaked 33 runs in his four overs spell.