Arafat Minhas starred with the ball for Multan Sultans, claiming three wickets, while Peter Siddle chipped in with two dismissals.
Multan Sultans defeated Karachi Kings by 11 runs in the 28th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, held at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a strong batting effort and disciplined bowling performance.
Chasing 208, the Kings were bowled out for 196 in 19.4 overs as the Sultans delivered a superb bowling display to successfully defend their total.
The team made a solid start as openers Saad Baig and Jason Roy set the tempo early, with runs coming freely in the opening overs.
However, Arafat Minhas gave Multan Sultans the breakthrough by breaking the 29-run opening stand, dismissing Roy for 16 off nine balls, which included two fours and a six.
Arafat struck again in the fifth over, continuing Salman Ali Agha’s poor run of form as he was dismissed for just two off five deliveries, leaving the team at 41-2 in 4.1 overs.
Karachi Kings lost a third wicket inside the powerplay when Peter Siddle picked up his first scalp, removing opener Saad Baig after a 21 off 15 balls, which included four boundaries.
Reeza Hendricks and skipper Moeen Ali then steadied the innings with a valuable 50-run partnership, helping the side cross the 100-run mark.
Hendricks looked set for another PSL half-century but fell just short when he was dismissed by Mohammad Imran for 49 off 32 deliveries, featuring five fours and two sixes, ending the 67-run stand.
On the first ball of the 15th over, Karachi Kings lost their fifth wicket when Ashton Turner dismissed Moeen Ali, who scored 27 off 23 deliveries, including two sixes, leaving the team at 129-5.
Abbas Afridi resisted with a fighting knock, finding boundaries to reduce the pressure and help the team cross the 150-run mark.
Another Sultans spinner, Momin Qamar, then joined the attack and picked up his first wicket by dismissing Khushdil Shah for just four off six balls.
Arafat Minhas continued his excellent spell, claiming his third wicket by removing Shahid Aziz for a golden duck, leaving Karachi at 160-7 in 16.4 overs.
Hasan Ali and Abbas Afridi continued to fight back, keeping Karachi Kings’ hopes alive with quick runs as they edged closer to the target, with 23 required off the final two overs.
However, Peter Siddle provided Multan Sultans with a crucial breakthrough, as Abbas Afridi was dismissed after a fiery 16-ball 34, featuring three fours and two sixes.
The Kings suffered another blow in the closing stages when Adam Zampa became the ninth batter to fall, run out under pressure, before Hasan Ali was also run out after a quick 23 off 10 deliveries, ending Karachi’s innings.
Arafat Minhas was named Player of the Match for his impressive spell of 3/32 in three overs.
Earlier, batting first, Multan Sultans posted 207/7 in their 20 overs despite a shaky start. Khushdil Shah struck early for Karachi Kings, removing Steve Smith for a duck on the third ball of the second over.
Awais Zafar and Josh Philippe then rebuilt the innings with a strong partnership, taking the score past 50 before Khushdil struck again to dismiss Philippe for 44 off 23 balls, including five fours and two sixes, leaving Sultans at 77-2 in 7.2 overs.
Shan Masood joined Awais Zafar and kept the momentum going as the pair guided the team past 100. However, Khushdil returned to remove Zafar for 36 off 27 balls, while Moeen Ali then dismissed Masood for a well-made 46 off 25 deliveries, reducing Sultans to 135-4 in 13.2 overs.
Arafat Minhas and skipper Ashton Turner added valuable runs to take the total beyond 150, but Moeen struck again to dismiss Turner for 11 off 11 balls.
Hasan Ali then joined the attack, removing Minhas for 17 off 12 deliveries, as Sultans slipped further. In the 19th over, Adam Zampa dismissed Mohammad Nawaz for 12, leaving the score at 174-7 in 18.2 overs.
Mohammad Imran then provided a strong finish, smashing boundaries and two sixes in the final over to push the total past 200, finishing unbeaten on 26 off eight balls. Mohammad Wasim also remained not out on seven.
For Karachi Kings, Khushdil Shah was the standout bowler with 3/35, while Moeen Ali took two wickets and Adam Zampa and Hasan Ali picked up one each.
About the Author
