Multan Sultans recorded their second successive home win in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 by beating Karachi Kings by a comfortable 52-run margin at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday.

A fine bowling performance led by spinners Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi who shared five wickets between them set the tone of Sultans’ comfortable win after their batsmen had set what proved to be a match winning 186 for six first innings score.

Sohail Tanvir, who got a four-wicket haul in Sultans win over Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday, took two wickets for 20 runs. Alex Hales with 29 and Umaid Asif 20 were the only batsmen to offer some resistance in what was a less than inspiring batting performance by the Kings.

 

Batting first after being asked to bat at the toss, Sultans posted a formidable 186 for six total in their allotted 20 overs courtesy half-centuries by opener and man-of-the-match Moeen Ali and captain Shan Masood.

 The two added 71 runs for the second wicket partnership after Zeeshan Ashraf (23 off 13 balls) had provided the hosts a flying start in a 31-run opening stand with Moeen.

Moeen hit four fours and as many sixes in his 65-run innings that came off 42 balls; he was the second wicket to fall. Shan also faced 42 balls scoring 61 runs with the help of seven fours and one six.

Khushdil Shah (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Sultans innings was built on the contributions by Moeen and Shan.

 

Pacers Mohammad Amir and Chris Jordan took two wickets each for Kings, Amir conceding 27 and Jordan conceding 29 runs respectively in their four over spells.

Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars, the last-placed team in the PSL, are set to be without fast bowler Haris Rauf for the next two or three matches because of a right foot injury.

Haris experienced pain on the inner side of his right heel during Lahore’s loss to Islamabad United on Sunday, the Pakistan cricket Board said.

Scans ruled out any fracture but the PCB said Haris has been advised rest.

Haris took 20 wickets for Melbourne Stars in the recent Big Bash League in Australia.

However, the 26-year-old fast bowler had a disappointing start to this year’s PSL, taking 1-40 against Multan Sultans and 2-41 against Islamabad as Lahore lost both games at home.

Fast bowler Salman Irshad, who played three PSL matches for Lahore in 2018, has replaced Haris.

Agencies


Brief scores: Multan Sultans 186 for 6, 20 overs (Moeen Ali 65, Shan Masood 61; Mohammad Amir 2-27, Chris Jordan 2-29)

Karachi Kings 134 all out, 17 overs (Alex Hales 29, Umaid Asif 20, Chadwick Walton 15; Imran Tahir 3-28, Shahid Afridi 2-18, Sohail Tanvir 2-20)