RAWALPINDI: Multan Sultans posted a competitive total of 185 for 7 in their final league-stage fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 against Quetta Gladiators on Sunday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, thanks to strong contributions from opener Yasir Khan and middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir.
Opting to bat first, the Sultans got off to a brisk start as Yasir Khan struck consecutive boundaries in the opening over, setting the tone for a high-scoring innings.
However, they suffered an early blow in the second over when captain Mohammad Rizwan, who had driven the first delivery for four, was clean bowled by Faheem Ashraf, leaving Multan at 12 for 1 after 1.2 overs.
Yasir then joined forces with Jahanzeib Sultan to stitch together a solid 52-run partnership for the second wicket. Both batters kept the scoreboard ticking with regular boundaries.
The stand was broken when Jahanzeib departed for 25 off 21 deliveries, caught off the bowling of Usman Tariq, with Multan reaching 64 for 2 in the seventh over.
Yasir’s dismissal
Yasir continued to play with intent, edging closer to a half-century, but his fluent innings came to an end on 45 from 25 balls when Usman Tariq claimed his second wicket. Multan were 79 for 3 after nine overs.
Tayyab Tahir and Humayon Altaf then stabilised the innings with a 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Khurram Shahzad ended Altaf’s stay at the crease, dismissing him for 16 off 13 balls and reducing the Sultans to 120 for 4 in the 14th over.
Tayyab, who had looked in fine touch, was dismissed shortly after in the 15th over for 36 off 24 balls. Usman Tariq struck again to complete his three-wicket haul, with Multan on 136 for 5.
The Sultans struggled to build momentum in the latter part of the innings, losing further wickets. Peter Hatzoglou managed just a single run before falling to Abrar Ahmed.
Much-needed boost
Aamer Azmat, however, provided a much-needed boost at the death, launching a towering six off Khurram Shahzad in the 18th over to take the total past 150.
In the final over, Mohammad Wasim Jr picked up his first wicket, ending a 35-run stand by dismissing Shahid Aziz, who scored a quickfire 29 off 14 balls. Multan stood at 181 for 7 with one delivery remaining.
Aamer Azmat remained unbeaten on 21 from 16 balls, while Mohammad Hasnain found the boundary in the last over to wrap up the innings.
Usman Tariq was the standout performer with the ball for Quetta Gladiators, finishing with excellent figures of 3 for 32 from his four overs. Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Wasim Jr each claimed a wicket apiece.
