Mohammad Rizwan’s blistering 59-ball 82 and Iftikhar Ahmed’s blazing and unbeaten 11-ball 34 powered the Multan Sultans to another victory against Lahore Qalandars in the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

MULTAN SULTANS' INNINGS

Chasing a target of 167, the home team completed the equation with six balls spare, when Iftikhar motored three boundaries and two sixes off Zaman Khan’s over.

After facing an early hiccup, when the Sultans lost Dawid Malan (0), Reeza Hendricks (9) and Yasir Khan (8), it was a brilliantly crafted knock by their skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who smoked 59-ball 82, lacing with nine boundaries and three maximums.

Rizwan found an able ally in David Willey, with whom he racked up a 75-run partnership off 51 deliveries.

Zaman Khan removed Rizwan to break the stand between the latter and Willey.

Willey ensured to play with patience and wait for any lost deliveries. He compiled circumspect 23-ball 25, before being trapped by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Khushdil Shah, who joined Iftikhar, did not get any opportunity to play any deliveries and remained unconquered on 0. But Iftikhar had decided to seal the victory for the Sultans in his signature style, by clubbing five boundaries and two towering sixes.

For the Qalandars, Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-25) had turned out to be the standout bowler for his side. He not only bagged two wickets, but also had the best economy rate of 6.25.

Zaman Khan (2-52) had also bagged two wickets, but conceded 52 runs.

George Linde, who replaced Salman Fayyaz, turned out to be tidy and grabbed a wicket. He turned out to be the second best economical bowler for the Qalandars after Shaheen Shah Afridi, with an economy rate of 6.25.

Haris Rauf (0-25), Jahandad Khan (0-10), Carlos Braithwaite (0-7), and Sikandar Raza (0-24) remained wicketless.

We believe in #IFTIMANIA supremacy 🫡#HBLPSL9 | #SultanSupremacy | #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/EjoBY8PVFF

— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans) February 21, 2024

– LAHORE QALANDARS' INNINGS –

Opting to bat first, Rassie van der Dussen’s brilliant 37-ball 54 and Fakhar Zaman’s circumspect 36-ball 41 powered Lahore Qalandars to 166-5. The Qalandars faced an early blow, when they lost Sahibzada Farhan for 8-ball 2.

But it was Fakhar, who racked up a 94-run partnership off 66 balls, along with Rassie van der Dussen.

The stand was broken by Usama Mir, when he removed Rassie van der Dussen. In his 37-ball 54, Rassie van der Dussen smashed four boundaries and two towering sixes.

Sikandar Raza made 16-ball 23, studding with four boundaries before he was removed by Mohammad Ali, who seemed to be in sublime form so far in the latest edition of the marquee tournament.

Jahandad Khan was looking good for his 9-ball 16, clobbering a six, before he was run out.

Abdullah Shafique (6) and Carlos Brathwaite (15) remained unbeaten to steer the Qalandars to the fighting total in Multan.

Mohammad Ali (2-28) continued the rhythm from the last outing against the United and went on to scoop up two crucial wickets.   

Usama Mir (1-25) and Abbas Afridi (1-34) took a scalp each.

Shahnawaz Dahani (0-24), who was included in place of Olly Stone, was a little expensive, conceding 24 in his overs and remaining wicketless.

Iftikhar Ahmed (0-26) and David Willey (0-27) also remained unbeaten.

Hard Luck#HBLPSL9 #KhulKeKhel #QalandarBrothers #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/b2wC4D5oX7

— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 21, 2024

TOSS

Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had decided to bat first against the Multan Sultans.

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Dawid Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Yasir Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani.