HBL PSL: Abbas bowls Multan to seven-wkt victory over Lahore

KARACHI: Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas took three wickets to guide Multan Sultans to a convincing seven-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in the HBL PSL in Karachi on Monday.

Abbas finished with 3-22 keeping Lahore down to 140-8 in their 20 overs before opener Shan Masood struck 25-ball 48 with eight boundaries and a six to steer Multan to the target in just 12.3 overs, said the information made available here.

The win gave Multan fifth position in the points table with six points in ten matches, a finish they also achieved last year while Lahore’s fate could not change as they finished fifth and last in the first two editions and sixth and last both this and the preceding year.

Lahore managed just six points in ten matches and had an inferior net run-rate than Multan. Masood added 50 for the second-wicket with Johnson Charles with five boundaries and two sixes to steady the chase after Multan lost Umar Siddiq for 13 at the total of 20.

When Masood got out, Multan needed 18 more which they scored without any hiccup with some 45 balls to spare. Multan skipper Shoaib Malik said his team did not do justice with their talent. “Overall we played good cricket but luck was not on our side,” said Malik. “We lacked that winning ratio in the tournament and did not grab the crunch positions.”

Lahore skipper Fakhar Zaman admitted it was a tough tournament for his team. “Yes, it was tough and especially when you lose so many matches,” said Fakhar. “We did learn and got some good bowlers but the end wasn’t ideal.”

Lahore were led by opener Fakhar’s 36-ball 53 which had eight boundaries and a six but Lahore kept losing wickets and could never get the impetus for a fighting total.Off-spinner Chris Green, who took 1-25 in his four overs, provided Multan with the breakthrough when he dismissed Rikki Wessels for four before Abbas took over.

Brief Scores: Lahore Qalandars 140-8 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 53; Mohammad Abbas3-22, Shahid Afridi 2-18). Multan Sultans 141-3 in 12.3 overs (Shan Masood 48, Johnson Charles 41*).