Multan Sultans thrash Quetta Gladiators by 13 runs

Multan Sultans Sunday defeated  the Quetta Gladiators in the 11th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 at Multan Cricket Stadium, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Mohammad Rizwan’s men successfully defended the 181-run target courtesy of their accuracy with the ball as the Gladiators’ batters failed to hurt their opponents.

Chasing the target, the Gladiators started slowly as they could only score 8 runs in the first two overs against Mohammad Ali and David Willey.

Jason Roy became Ali’s victim in the third over, Saud Shakeel followed him soon enough after losing his wicket to Willey in the sixth over, leaving his side 42-2.

After losing two wickets, skipper Rilee Rossouw and youngster Khawaja Nafay held their nerves stayed at the crease and formed a 60-run partnership.

Gladiators had the command of the chase but Rossouw’s unexpected dismissal turned the tide in Sultans’ favour.

The wickets kept falling and the visiting side could only score 167 runs in the allocated overs, ending up tasting their first PSL 9 defeat by 13 runs.

Pacers David Willely and Muhammad Ali dented the Quetta Qladiators's efforts to chase a target of 181 runs heavily. They claimed three wickets each.   

Khawaja Nafay and Rilee  Rossouw of Qaladiators offered resistance but could not take their team to victory stand. They secored 36 and 30 respectively. 

The Sultans' innings was anchored by two experienced batters, Mohammad Rizwan and Reeza Hendricks.

Rizwan, leading from the front, smashed four sixes and two boundaries on his way to a well-constructed half-century. His innings of 51 off 42 balls set the tone for Multan's innings.

Hendricks, playing steadily until then, switched gears after Rizwan's dismissal.

He knitted a quick-fire partnership for the third wicket with Tayyab Tahir, contributing a top-score of 72 runs from 47 balls, including eleven boundaries (four of which were sixes). Hendricks showcased his T20 prowess, ensuring that the Sultans posted a challenging total.

Despite their best efforts, the Quetta Gladiators' bowlers struggled to contain the Sultans' batting onslaught.

 Mohammad Amir, who has been in fine form, managed to claim the prized scalp of Hendricks in the final over. His figures of 2-46 were commendable, but it was not enough to prevent Multan from reaching a competitive total.

 After being put batting first, the Sultans got off to a flying start as Usman Khan smashed 14 runs from the first over bowled by Akeal Hosein.

 Anchoring partnership: Rizwan and Hendricks stitched together a crucial partnership of 79 runs from 62 balls, putting pressure on Quetta Gladiators.

Tahir remained unbeaten with a quick cameo of 32 runs off 22 balls, featuring four boundaries and one six.