On Thursday night at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, Multan Sultans emerged victorious in the qualifier, defeating Peshawar Zalmi by a significant seven-wicket margin to advance to their fourth successive final in the HBL PSL.
Following this match, Peshawar Zalmi is set to compete against the winner of the eliminator one, a match scheduled between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators on 15th March.
The Multan Sultans showcased their bowling prowess, with all bowlers contributing effectively to restrict Zalmi to a below-par total of 146-7. The Sultans’ batters successfully chased down the target in just 18.3 overs, clinching a convincing victory.
Yasir Khan and Muhammad Rizwan, the opening duo for Multan Sultans, laid a strong foundation for the chase with a remarkable 61-run partnership. Yasir particularly displayed aggression from the outset, exemplified by his early six off Mehran Mumtaz in the second ball he faced.
While Rizwan faced some challenges, Yasir aggressively scored three boundaries off Paul Walter in the fourth over. The team achieved 45 runs in the powerplay, with the 50-run opening partnership completed in just 39 deliveries.
As the match progressed, Mehran managed to dismiss Yasir after a blazing half-century off 37 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six. Usman Khan and Johnson Charles further solidified Sultans’ position with a crucial partnership, steering the team towards victory.
With Iftikhar Ahmed’s impactful contributions and Usman Khan’s composed innings, Multan Sultans reached the target with ease, securing their spot in the final of HBL PSL 9.
The bowling efforts of Mehran, Aamir, and Salman for the Sultans were commendable, as each picked up a wicket to contribute to the team’s success.
Peshawar Zalmi, after winning the toss, batted first, but faced a tough challenge from the disciplined bowling attack of Multan Sultans. Despite notable performances from players like Babar Azam and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, they were unable to pose a formidable total, eventually finishing at 146-7.
The clash between these two formidable teams provided an entertaining and competitive spectacle, setting the stage for an exhilarating final showdown in the HBL PSL.