Daily Times

SHARJAH: Imran Tahir claimed a hat-trick while Sohail Tanvir clinched three wickets which triggered Quetta Gladiators collapse and laid the foundation for a nine-wicket win for Multan Sultans in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League 2018 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Saturday. Tahir’s 3 for 19and Tanvir’s 3 for 14 bundled out Quetta for 102, which was easily chased down by Multan in the 17th over. Tahir, the South African spin king, became the second bowler from Multan to bag this season’s second hat-trick and the third in PSL history (Junaid Khan of Multan Sultans had a hat-trick earlier this season). Speaking after his feat, an exhilarated Tahir dedicated his hat-trick to his wife and son, who he said were in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) all the way from South Africa to cheer for him.

After winning the toss, Multan opted to bowl first, a decision which proved a correct one as Sarfraz Ahmed-led unit were bowled out for a meagre total. Quetta lost last five wickets for just a run in space of seven deliveries. Tahir became the first spinner in the history of PSL to claim the hat-trick by claiming wickets of Hasan Khan, John Hastings and Rahat Ali on successive deliveries. In reply, Multan had a flying start in the chase, losing their first wicket at 66 after Ahmad Shahzad was caught down the ground off Hassan Khan for 27. Kumar Sangakkara and Sohaib Maqsood chased down the target without any further loss of wickets, remaining not out at 51 and 26, respectively.

Brief scores: Multan Sultans 108 for 1 (Kumar Sangakkara 51 not out) beat Quetta Gladiators 102 (Sarfraz Ahmed 30, Sohail Tanvir 3-14, Imran Tahir 3-19) by nine wickets.

Published in Daily Times, March 4^th 2018.