LAHORE (AM Khan): Multan Sultans’ journey in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 came to a crashing halt as they were handed a humbling 87-run defeat by a ruthless Karachi Kings side in a do-or-die clash.
With James Vince’s elegant unbeaten 65 and Mohammad Nabi’s masterful three-wicket spell leading the charge, Karachi outclassed Multan in all departments to not only keep their own campaign alive but also send the former champions packing in emphatic fashion.
Chasing a mammoth target of 205, Multan crumbled under pressure and were bundled out for just 117 in 16.1 overs, bringing their dismal campaign to an end with only one win from eight matches. The run chase began in disastrous fashion for Multan, with skipper Mohammad Rizwan departing for a second-ball duck in the second over. The early blows kept coming as left-arm pacer Mir Hamza struck in the following over, removing Usman Khan for a labored 1 off 6 deliveries.
Despite a brisk 26 off 17 balls from Yasir Khan, which included three sixes, Multan’s top order failed to withstand the pressure of the chase. Yasir’s dismissal in the fifth over left the Sultans reeling at 34-3 inside the powerplay.
Kamran Ghulam tried to anchor the innings with a composed 29 off 25 balls, but lacked support at the other end. Curtis Campher cleaned up the middle order with key wickets of Iftikhar Ahmed (8) and Michael Bracewell (2), while Khushdil Shah dismissed Ghulam and later accounted for Iftikhar, leaving Multan gasping at 88-8.
David Willey was run out without scoring, and Mohammad Nabi ensured there would be no lower-order fightback, bagging three wickets in a miserly spell of 4-0-14-3. Mir Hamza returned to pick up the final scalp of Ubaid Shah (14), sealing a dominant victory for Karachi.
Earlier, Karachi Kings opted to bat first and set the tone with a blistering start. Tim Seifert smashed 22 off just 11 balls, while captain David Warner dazzled with a 13-ball 30, laced with four boundaries and two sixes. The openers added 53 in under four overs to give Karachi a flying start. After a brief stumble that saw the Kings lose three wickets for just 7 runs, James Vince and Irfan Khan Niazi rebuilt with maturity and flair. The pair put on a vital 78-run stand for the fourth wicket, stabilizing the innings and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Irfan fell for a well-made 40 off 33, but Vince continued unfazed, showcasing elegant strokeplay en route to an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls.
Khushdil Shah added late fireworks with a ferocious 33* off just 13 deliveries, including three sixes and two fours. Karachi amassed 204-4 by the end of their 20 overs, with 16 runs coming in the final over to put the game out of Multan’s reach. James Vince was named player of the match.
SCORES IN BRIEF: KARACHI KINGS 204-4, 20 overs (James Vince 65*, Muhammad Irfan Khan 40, Khushdil Shah 33*, David Warner 30; Ubaid Shah 2-49) beat MULTAN SULTANS 117 all out, 16.1 overs (Kamran Ghulam 29; M Nabi 3-14, Mir Hamza 2-15, Khushdil Shah 2-15) by 87 runs.
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