Multan Sultans’ batters destroyed Quetta Gladiatos’ bowlers, smashing a mammoth 245/3 in the first innings of the 25th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
After opting to bat first, Sultans set a huge target of 246 for the Gladiators, thanks to skipper Mohammad Rizwan and the top-order batter Rilee Rossouw, who played stunning knocks to bolster the side in the closing overs.
Earlier, Sultans’ openers Rizwan and Shan Masood made a ravishing start, putting on a brilliant century-partnership for the first wicket. The duo appeared solid as both scored astonishing half-centuries.
Mohammad Irfan sent Masood (57 off 28) to the pavilion in the 12th over, while Rizwan stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Following Masood’s departure, Rossouw stood up for his team and played a spectacular innings. The left-handed batter scored a quickfire 71 off just 26 balls, smashing nine boundaries and four sixes before falling short to Naseem Shah in the 19th over.
Rizwan, on the other hand, top-scored with his unbeaten 83 runs off just 54 balls with the help of 10 boundaries, including three sixes.
For the Gladiators, the bowlers remained off-colour as they conceded a lot of runs and leaked 24 runs as extras. Returning pacer Mohammad Irfan, Ghulam Mudassar, and Naseem managed to take a wicket each.
Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention here that this is the second highest score of PSL history and the highest in PSL 7 so far. The highest score of the league was posted by Islamabad United against Peshawar Zalmi in the sixth edition of the PSL.
Sultans’ bowlers did not allow Quetta’s batters to stand on the pitch. Only wicket-keeper-batter Umar Akmal managed to entertain with his 23-ball 53.
Khushdil Shah sent the last man standing on the crease — Irfan — to the pavilion to clinch the match by 117 runs.
