Multan prove too good for Karachi

KARACHI: Multan Sultans recorded their second successive home win in the HBL Pakistan Super League by be­a­ting Karachi Kings by a comfortable 52-run margin at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, says a press release.

A fine bowling performance led by spinners Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi, who shared five wickets between them, set the tone for Sultans’ comfortable win after their batsmen had set what proved to be a match-winning 186-6 first innings score.

Sohail Tanvir, who got a four-wicket haul in Sultans win over Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday, took two wickets for 20 runs. Alex Hales (29) and Umaid Asif (20) were the only batsmen to offer some resistance in what was a less than inspiring batting performance by the Kings.

After being asked to bat, Sultans posted a formidable 186-6 in 20 overs courtesy half-centuries by opener and man-of-the-match Moeen Ali and captain Shan Masood.

The two added 71 runs for the second wicket partnership after Zeeshan Ashraf (23 off 13 balls) had provided the hosts a flying start in a 31-run opening stand with Moeen.

Moeen hit four fours and as many sixes in his 65-run innings that came off 42 balls; he was the second wicket to fall. Shan also faced 42 balls scoring 61 runs with the help of seven fours and one six.

Khushdil Shah (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Sultans innings was built on the contributions by Moeen and Shan. Pacers Mohammad Amir and Chris Jordan took two wickets each for Kings, Amir conceding 27 and Jordan conceding 29 runs in their four over spells.

Scores in brief: Multan Sultans 186-6 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 65, Shan Masood 61; Mohammad Amir 2-27, Chris Jordan 2-29). Karachi Kings 134 all out in 17 overs (Alex Hales 29, Umaid Asif 20, Chadwick Walton 15; Imran Tahir 3-28, Shahid Afridi 2-18, Sohail Tanvir 2-20). Result: Multan Sultans win by 52 runs.