The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 kicked off with a one-sided low-scoring encounter where Mohammad Rizwan-led Multan Sultans came out on top. Guided by Rizwan’s sensible unbeaten half-century and Imran Tahir’s economical bowling including three wickets, defending champions won the match by seven wickets with 10 balls to spare.
Tahir & other Sultan bowlers dominate
Rizwan won the toss and opted to field first. Karachi Kings got off to a decent start with Sharjeel Khan hitting big but Babar Azam struggling on the other end. While Azam managed just one boundary in his inning, Sharjeel scored 41 runs off 33 deliveries including three fours and three sixes. In the middle overs, Tahir got some grip and turn from the pitch and got the wicket of Khan who was setting himself for a big score. Azam too followed him back to the dugout in the next over. The Pakistan scored 23 runs at a disappointing strike rate of 79.31.
Kings’ batter struggled in middle overs as Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi managed just 10 runs off 17 balls and English recruit Tom Lammonby managed just a single on debut. Wicketkeeper-batter Joe Clarke and Lewis Gregory struggled to get boundaries as Kings managed a mediocre first inning total of 124/5.
Rizwan anchors run chase
Chasing 125, Sultans got off to an ideal start despite the wicket of Shan Masood in the fifth over. Masood scored 26 runs off 18 deliveries. Skipper Rizwan and Shoaib Maqsood did not take many chances in the middle and cruised towards the target. The two shared a 63-run partnership for the second wicket with Maqsood scoring a 31-ball 30. Nabi got two wickets in the 15th over including Maqsood and Rilee Rossouw. But the brace of wickets was a consolation for Kings as Rizwan and Tim David finished the run chase in the penultimate over. David hit a six to get his team over the line in style. Rizwan remained unbeaten for 52 runs off 47 deliveries including five fours and one six.
“Credit to the bowlers for the way they restricted after the powerplay. Important thing is to assess the pitch. The ball was gripping. Target was not much. Plan was to finish in 16-17 overs, but Nabi bowled well,” the wicketkeeper-batter said in the post-match presentation.
