After record PSL knock, Sohaib hopes to be a consistent performer

DUBAI: Sohaib Maqsood on Tuesday night played one of the best Twenty20 knocks of his career.

His unbeaten 85 that came off just 42 balls took the game away from defending champions Peshawar Zalmi and enabled Multan Sultans to consolidate their position at the top of the HBL PSL points table with a 19-run victory.

Sohaib, 30, was pleased with his match-winning knock but made it clear that he will not sit back and bask in its glory.

“I have always trusted my talent. I have done well but there have been times when I haven’t delivered. Now, I want to be a consistent performer,” he said.

Sohaib had scored just 52 runs from his previous four PSL outings this season. He felt exceptionally down after losing his wicket cheaply against Islamabad United on February 25 but revealed how Multan captain Shoaib Malik raised his morale.

“I’m the sort of character who can lose heart after a few bad outings.

“I was particularly down when I got out against Islamabad but Shoaib bhai came to me and told me that no matter what happens I will be playing all ten league matches for the team. He said that the team needed just two or three big knocks from me. That really gave me confidence because I trust in my abilities and I knew that I had it in me to do that.

“(Kumar) Sangakkara also really helped me by giving me a game plan which I managed to execute.”

Sohaib, who hasn’t played for Pakistan since January 2016, was confident that he will continue giving his best in PSL.

“My focus is to play my best cricket. I want to be a high-ranked player in PSL just like I’m in domestic cricket.”