The ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) is turning out to be a horrible outing for the Babar Azam-led Karachi Kings side as they faced their eighth defeat of the tournament after conceding a 7-wicket rout against Multan Sultans, on February 16 (Wednesday), in Lahore.
Early dismissal
Batting first, Karachi Kings had registered a total of 174 runs losing six wickets. Babar Azam was the first batter to be dismissed after the Karachi Kings skipper scored just 2 runs off 4 balls.
A good length delivery bowled by Rumman Raees was not successfully picked by Babar and it resulted in the ball hitting his pads. The umpire had no hesitation in giving him out but the Karachi Kings skipper decided to ask for a review but eventually that was of no use as replays also suggested that ball would go on to smash the stumps.
The other opening batsman- Sharjeel Khan (36 runs off 34 balls) and Joe Clarke (40 runs off 29 balls) played a solid partnership of 72 runs off 58 balls and helped their side in thwarting the opposition bowling unit. But their partnership came to an end after English batter Clarke was dismissed by South African spinner Imran Tahir.
Tahir’s fuller and slower delivery was wrongly read by Clarke and his mistimed shot went straight to cover. Shan Masood standing inside the ring had a fairly easy catch to take in order to dismiss Clarke.
Later, Karachi Kings wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir (21 runs off 12 balls), Mohammad Nabi (21 runs off 15 balls) and Imad Wasim (32 not out 16 balls) displayed a gritty batting show to help their side in reaching a formidable total of 174 runs losing six wickets, in 20 overs.
For Multan Sultans, their right-arm fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani claimed two wickets as Blessing Muzarabani, Khushdil Shah, Tahir and Raees claimed one wicket each.
The run chase
In reply, Multan Sultans had a terrific start as their opening pair registered 100-run partnership. Opening batsmen Shan Masood (45 runs off 41 balls) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (76 runs off 56 balls) exhibited a brilliant batting show for the Sultans.
Later, Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah scored a quick-fire 21 off just 9 balls to help his side in reaching the target. His innings was comprised of 1 boundary and 2 sixes.
