DUBAI: Half centuries by Joe Denly and Babar Azam coupled with a vintage Shahid Afridi bowling spell helped Karachi Kings defeat Multan Sultans by 63 runs in the 22nd fixture of the Pakistan Super League 2018 at Dubai Stadium here on Saturday. Denly and Azam set the foundation of Karachi’s formidable score of 188-3 after Multan opted to bowl first. Their second-wicket stand was worth 118 off 55 balls. Multan, in reply, were all out for 125 in 19.4 overs with no one playing a major knock after Kumar Sangakkara (13) and Ahmad Shahzad (24) had begun promisingly. But Karachi’s victory by 63 runs was overshadowed by contentious umpiring which has afflicted this tournament like a chronic disease that led to further controversies. Sohail Tanvir’s late cameo of 29-ball 34 was of little use as Multan were all out for 125, falling 63 runs short. Afridi was named the man of the match for his bowling figures of 3-18 in four overs. Brief scores: Karachi Kings 188 for 3 (Joe Denly 78, Babr Azam 58, Colin Ingram 29 not out, Hardus Viljoen 2-49) beat Multan Sultans 125 (Sohail Tanvir 34 not out, Shahid Afridi 3-18, Mohammad Irfan 2-18) by 63 runs. Published in Daily Times, March 12th 2018.