In a riveting match of skill and strategy, the Multan Sultans emerged victorious against the Quetta Gladiators, clinching a 13-run win in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) encounter on Sunday, February 25, at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Multan Sultans’ Dominant Batting Display
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Multan Sultans got off to a solid start, courtesy of Usman Khan’s fiery innings. Despite losing Usman early on, Mohammad Rizwan and Reeza Hendricks steadied the ship with a brilliant 50-run partnership, setting the stage for a formidable total. Rizwan’s aggressive knock, including two fours and four sixes, propelled the Sultans past the 100-run mark in the 13th over.
Hendricks, on the other end, played a composed innings, reaching his half-century with seven fours and four sixes. Tayyab Tahir’s quickfire 35 not out further boosted the Sultans’ score to a challenging 180/4 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
Gladiators’ Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing a target of 181, the Quetta Gladiators began positively, with Jason Roy providing a quick start. However, the Gladiators lost wickets at crucial intervals, with Saud Shakeel and Jake Weatherald departing early. Khawaja Nafay and Rilee Rossouw steadied the innings with a half-century partnership, but the Gladiators struggled to maintain the required run rate.
Despite Nafay and Rossouw’s efforts, Mohammad Ali and David Willey’s exceptional bowling restricted the Gladiators to 167/9 in their 20 overs, falling short of the target by 13 runs.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Mohammad Rizwan’s explosive half-century and Reeza Hendricks’ steady innings laid the foundation for the Sultans’ imposing total. Mohammad Ali and David Willey’s disciplined bowling, each taking three wickets, proved crucial in halting the Gladiators’ chase.
For the Gladiators, Khawaja Nafay’s resilient 36 and Rilee Rossouw’s 25-ball 27 provided hope, but the team ultimately fell short in the face of the Sultans’ strong performance.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Multan Sultans maintain their position at the top of the PSL points table, with four wins from five matches. Meanwhile, the Quetta Gladiators, who were previously unbeaten in the tournament, will look to bounce back from this defeat in their upcoming matches.
The Multan Sultans will take on the Lahore Qalandars in their next match on February 27, while the Quetta Gladiators will face the Karachi Kings on February 29, both at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Also Read: https://goworldwide.co.in/peshawar-zalmi-edge-out-multan-sultans/