Peshawar Zalmi chased down the highest total in this edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) so far to defeat Multan Sultans by 6 wickets. Bowlers from both sides were at the receiving end as almost 400 runs were scored on the night.
Chasing 194 runs to win, Peshawar made a solid start with Kamran Akmal and Imam ul Haq scoring 57 in the first 6 overs. Kamran seemed like getting in his groove but was removed by Usman Qadir in his first over. He made 37 off 25.
Sultans bowlers kept the runs under control in the middle phase of the innings but Tom Kohler-Cadmore kept his side on track with a breezy fifty. He scored 53 runs off 32 balls with the help of six boundaries and a six.
Haider Ali provided the finishing touches with an explosive cameo right at the end, scoring 24 runs off eight balls. His unbeaten knock included two fours and two sixes. Zalmi reached the target in the 19th over.
For Multan, young pacer Shahnawaz Dhani, who was making his PSL debut was impressive. He bowled with pace and desire but was a bit expensive in his last over. He finished with 2 for 44 while leg spinner Qadir picked up 1 for 29.
Earlier, Sultans batsmen put on a batting exhibition and posted 193-4 in their allotted 20 overs, setting Zalmi a difficult target.
Peshawar Zalmi got off to a great start, Mohammad Irfan dismissing Chris Lynn with an outswinger which was held brilliantly in the slip by Haider Ali.
After his dismissal, captain Mohammad Rizwan and James Vince stitched a crucial 82-run partnership to set the platform for a competitive total. Rizwan was dismissed by young pacer Mohammad Imran after scoring 41 runs off 28 balls.
After Rizwan’s departure, Sohaib Maqsood came in and stepped on the accelerator, along with Vince. Maqsood played a brisk innings of 36 runs off 21 balls.
James Vince was the star of the show for Sultans as he scored 84 runs off 55 balls. His knock included nine fours and three maximums.
For Zalmi, pacer Saqib Mahmood claimed two wickets for 36 runs. Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Imran bagged one wicket each. Captain Wahab Riaz had an off day and couldn’t find his mojo with the ball and conceeded 51 runs in four over.
