Multan Sultans triumphed over Peshwar Zalmi in the conclusion to the Pakistan Super League final on Thursday night.
The final, being held in Abu Dhabi, saw the Sultans register a convincing victory over Pehswar as they were beaten by 48 runs, giving Multan their first ever PSL win.
Captained by Pakistan international Mohammed Rizwan, the Sultans finished top of the league in the previous year but failed to make it past the play offs.
Peshwar Zalmi won the toss and put Multan into bat first, with Rizwan’s side putting on an incredible score of 206-4.
Captain Rizwan hit the first 4 of the final off the bowling Mohammed Irfan, before hitting him for the first six, two overs later.
His side were going at a steady rate before opener Shan Masood departed for 37 (28), being bowled by Mohammed Imran, as he missed a fuller length ball on his off stump.
Rizwan soon joined his fellow opener, edging behind to keeper Kamren Akmal. But, the opening pair left their side a solid foundation with Rizwan’s 30 (29) helping their side to 83-2.
In come, player of the match and series Sohaib Maqsood and former South African international Roussow.
Image: Naparazzi
Both Maqsood and Roussow hit quickfire 50s, 26 balls and 20 balls respectively, leading their side to 180-2.
South African Roussow couldn’t carry on the onslaught as he was caught two balls later off the bowling of Sameen Gul. Mohammed Irfan, the catcher at 45, as Roussow tried to replicate a reverse flick that had brought him a 6 earlier on.
Johnson Charles was the new batter at 181-3, but was trapped LBW for a golden duck, as the West Indian was wrapped on the pads by a full and straight ball.
With less than two overs to go, new batter Kushdil Shah wasted no time as he soon dispatched a free hit for 6 over the leg side.
Maqsood joined in the boundaries two balls later, with a reverse ramp for 4.
The Sultan’s finished on 206-4 with Maqsood finishing on 65 not out from 35 balls.
This left Peshwar Zalmi needing to pull off the highest run chase in PSL history, for victory.
Despite, a strong start Peshwar never threatened to reach the mammoth score put on by Multan.
Ex Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamren Akmal, who was captaining his side, showed no intention of waiting about as he whipped a 4 to the off side in the first over, before then pulling a 6 to the leg side off Imran Kahn’s bowling.
Fellow opener Hazrutallah Sazai, joined in with the 6s less than 4 overs later, as he cleared the stand behind square leg, off Zimbabwe international Blessing Muzarabani.
The Zimbabwean had the last laugh however, as a slower ball the next delivery coaxed Sazai into a loose shot and he was caught at point.
Captain Akmal followed an over later, as Imran clattered the top of his off stump. The wicketkeeper departing on 36 (27).
A run out after Shoaib Malik prodded to mid off and attempted to run, saw Australian Johnathan Wells ran out, before Malik and West Indian Rovman Powell attempted a counter charge.
Image: Benchill
Powell however, snicked behind to the keeper attempting to dig out a Murazabani yorker and finished on 23 (13).
Malik followed an over later.
His resurgence ending on 48 (27) as he failed to clear the leg side boundary from a Sohail Tanvir delivery and was caught.
That was to be it for Peshwar as former South African leg spinner Imran Tahir swept up the tail finishing on figures of 3-33.
Peshwar Zalmi finished on 159-9, handing Multan Sultans a 47 run victory and the Pakistan Super League trophy.
Yorkshire pair Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore would’ve been playing for Multan and Peshawr respectively but were unavailable.
Featured image: Rizwan Ullah Wazir
