Karachi, March 13, 2024 – In a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium Karachi, Multan Sultans emerged victorious by a commanding 69-run margin over Quetta Gladiators in Match 30 of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9.
The high-stakes clash witnessed Multan Sultans batting first and setting a formidable target of 186 runs, a challenge Quetta Gladiators failed to overcome.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Quetta Gladiators took the field with high hopes in the crucial last-round match of PSL Season 9. However, Multan Sultans had different plans, displaying an impressive batting performance to post a total of 185 runs for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Leading from the front, skipper Mohammad Rizwan played a captain’s knock, contributing 69 runs off 47 balls to anchor the innings. The explosive batting display also featured Johnson Charles, who scored a brisk 53 runs in just 29 balls, and Usman Khan’s valuable 21-run inning in 23 balls.
Quetta Gladiators’ bowling effort was spearheaded by Mohammad Amir, who managed to claim two wickets for 40 runs in his four overs. Mohammad Wasim Junior and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one wicket each, attempting to curb Multan Sultans’ momentum.
As Quetta Gladiators began their chase of 186 runs, the Multan Sultans’ bowling attack proved to be too much for the opposition. Quetta Gladiators crumbled under pressure and were eventually bowled out for 106 runs in 15.5 overs.
Omair Yousuf was the lone fighter for Quetta Gladiators, top-scoring with 37 runs off 25 balls. Khawaja Nafay and Saud Shakeel contributed 16 runs and 14 runs, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to counter the disciplined Multan Sultans’ bowling unit.
David Willey emerged as the hero with the ball for Multan Sultans, claiming three crucial wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. Usama Mir matched Willey’s performance, also taking three wickets in 3.5 overs. Abbas Afridi played a vital role, securing two wickets for 14 runs in three overs.
For his outstanding contribution with the bat, Mohammad Rizwan, the captain of Multan Sultans, was rightfully declared the Player of the Match.
The victory for Multan Sultans not only secured their position in the playoffs but also sent a strong message to the other teams in the competition. As the PSL Season 9 progresses, the momentum gained from this comprehensive win will undoubtedly boost Multan Sultans’ confidence as they look forward to the upcoming challenges in the tournament.
