Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 table toppers Multan Sultans have been dominating teams in their bid to defend the title. They registered the largest win in the history of PSL with a 117-run victory over Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators.
Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Shan Masood and Rizwan shared a 119-run partnership in 12 overs. Masood got out to Mohammad Irfan after scoring 57 runs from 38 deliveries including six fours and one six. While Sultans were scoring at almost 10 runs per over, their run rate got a major boost with the arrival of Rilee Rossouw to the crease. While Rizwan played the anchor role, Rossouw got to his half-century from 20 deliveries with a six off Sohail Tanvir. The southpaw made maximum damage as he scored 71 runs from 26 deliveries with the help of nine fours and four sixes.
Towards the end, Rizwan along with Khushdil Shah closed the innings with a bang. While Shah departed for a four-ball 10, Rizwan played the perfect captain’s knock. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten for 83 off 54 deliveries. He hit seven fours and three sixes in the innings to help Sultans post 245/3 on the board, the second-highest total in the history of the league. During the innings, three Gladiators’ bowlers went for more than 50 runs per over.
In reply, Jason Roy got Gladiators’ off to an ideal start despite opener Will Smeed and Ahsan Ali departed after scoring a single each in the innings. However, Roy fell to his fellow countryman David Willey. He scored 38 runs from 19 deliveries. After Roy’s wicket, only Umar Akmal could make an impact as Sarfaraz’s 23-ball 17 did Gladiators no favour. Gladiators ended up getting bundled out for 128 in 16th over. Akmal provided some entertainment for Gladiators’ fan with his 23-ball 50 that was laced with two fours and six sixes.
Sultans extended their lead over other teams with eighth win in ninth game. On the other hand, Gladiators’ have slim chances of reaching the playoffs as they have just three wins from nine games with a poor net run rate.
