DUBAI: An unbeaten 42-ball 85-run knock by Sohaib Maqsood helped Multan Sultans down defending champions Peshawar Zalmi by 19 runs in the 16th fixture of the Pakistan Super League 2018 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday night. Chasing a formidable target of 184, Peshawar lost early wickets, with Kamran Akmal, Andre Fletcher and Dwayne Smith all failing to capitalise on aggressive starts. Mohammad Hafeez (56), who scored a half-century and Liam Dawson (32), put on a counter-attacking partnership, but the asking rate was always just a bit too far ahead, and Peshawar were made to pay the price for their errant death-overs bowling. Kieron Pollard and Sohail Tanvir took three wickets each, while Muhammad Irfan clinched two.
Earlier, a remarkable assault from Sohaib helped Multan post 183 – the highest team total this year. Sohaib’s unbeaten 85 off 42 – which included seven sixes – is now the highest individual score in PSL 2018. The total was enough to see off Peshawar, who for their part batted well, but were unable to keep up with the intimidating asking-rate throughout the match, ultimately falling short by 19 runs. Multan had begun well, but were never scoring at a run-rate that suggested anything like their final total was ever a prospect. Kumar Sangakkara (28) and Ahmad Shahzad (37) were effective and efficient, but it wasn’t until Sohaib arrived that the runs began to flow properly. The last eight overs saw 107 runs scored as a number of Peshawar’s bowlers lost their discipline, most notably Sameen Gul and Wahab Riaz, as Multan amassed the huge total.
Brief scores:
Multan Sultans 183 for 3 (Sohaib Maqsood 85 not out, Ahmas Shahzad 37) beat Peshawar Zalmi 164 for 8 (Mohammad Hafeez 56, Dawson 32, Sohail Tanvir 3-14, Pollard 3-37) by 19 runs
Today’s matches: Thursday March 8
18th Match – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars at Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 04:30 PM PST
19th Match – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators at Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 09:00 PM PST
Published in Daily Times, March 8th 2018.