Rawalpindi: Multan Sultan thrashed Peshawar Zalmi by four wickets while chasing historic and first ever huge total of 243 Runs in the Pakistan Super League history.
With this win, Multan Sultan also occupied is place in playoff. Rilee Rossouw struck the fastest century of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In pursuit of 243, the Sultans were off to an unwanted start; losing both their openers Mohammad Rizwan (5) and Shan Masood (7) inside three overs with just 28 runs on the scoreboard.
Following the slump, T20 specialist Kieron Pollard and Rossouw counter-attacked the Zalmi bowlers and stitched a match-defining 99-run partnership for the third wicket with both scoring quick half-centuries.
Pollard reached his fifty in just 22 deliveries after hitting three consecutive sixes to Mujeeb ur Rehman while Rossouw was even quicker as he conceded just 17 balls in the process and registered his name in the list of joint-fastest half-centuries in the league’s history.
Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans were looking to book their spot in the playoffs round of PSL 8 by winning today, as the loser will have to win their last match or hope that Quetta Gladiators lose their last match.
Now Peshawar Zalmi have to win its last match or hope that Quetta Gladiators lose their last match.
Opting to bat first, the Zalmi batters made the most of the batting paradise of the Pindi Cricket Stadium as the former champions piled up a massive total of 242/6 in 20 overs.
Earlier, Zalmi openers Babar and Saim carried on their magnificent form as the pair once again scripted a solid start for the side with both scoring brisk half-centuries.
Baber Azam Fastest 50 In PSL History
Babar got to the milestone first in just 24 deliveries, recording his fastest fifty in the league’s history before Saim followed.
The pair once again looked comfortable trumping the record partnership of the league before Usama Mir got rid of Saim in the 12th over and handed a much-needed breakthrough to the Sultans.
The left-handed batter scored a brisk 33-ball 58, laced up five boundaries and four sixes.
Babar’s stay at the crease also remained brief after Saim’s dismissal as a short-pitch delivery by Abbas Afridi saw the end of his brilliant knock.
The Zalmi’s skipper scored 73 in just 39 balls, smashing nine boundaries and two sixes.
Zalmi then lost wickets at regular intervals but vital blitz by Mohammad Haris in the middle and Tom Kohler-Cadmore at the death powered the former champions to a massive total.
Haris struck a quickfire 35 in a mere 11 deliveries, hitting a boundary and four sixes, including three consecutive sixes to Sheldon Cottrell in the 14th over.
Kohler-Cadmore, on the other hand, was equally ruthless with his 18-ball 38 which featured four boundaries and two sixes.
Abbas led the bowling attack for the Sultans with 4/39 while Usama could pick up a wicket amid their forgetful day with the ball.
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris (wk), Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Haseebullah Khan, Rovman Powell, Aamer Jamal, Wahab Riaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Arshad Iqbal
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Khushdil Shah, Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Anwar Ali, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Sheldon Cottrell, Ihsanullah