Debutants Multan Sultans beat defending champions Zalmi in PSL-3 opener

DUBAI: Making their debut in this season as the sixth franchise, Multan Sultans defeated the defending champions Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets in the opener of Pakistan Super League third edition at Dubai International Cricket Stadium here Thursday.

Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to bowl against the defending Peshawar Zalmi. A brilliant opening spell by Sohail Tanvir, who swung the ball in sharply, backed up by Mohammad Irfan's extra bounce proved particularly troubling for last year's leading run-scorer Kamran Akmal, who fell for a duck attempting to pull cross the line.

While batting first, Peshawar Zalmi scored 151/6 in 20 overs with Hafeez 59 off 52 balls and  Sammy's 29 off 11 balls,  whereas Multan Sultans comfortably achieved the target in 19.1 overs as Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara scored 57 off 51 balls and Shoaib Malik also shared unbeaten 42 off 34 balls to a thumping victory of Sultans over Zalmi.

Winning the toss, Multan Sultans skipper Shoaib Malik said, "it's our first game and if you look at the pitch it has a bit of grass and because of these reasons we have opted to bowl first."

Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy said that the new wicket has a little bit more grass than last year.

Earlier, a glitzy opening ceremony of the third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 was held at the Dubai International Stadium.

A number of stars including Pakistani music icon, Abida Parveen and US rapper, Jason Derulo performed at the opening ceremony that has attracted a packed-weekend crowd at the iconic Dubai stadium.