Rizwan stars in Multan’s win over Karachi

By our correspondent

MULTAN: Multan Sultan sneaked to a three runs win over Karachi Kings in their HBL PSL 8 match  here at the  Stadium Stadium on Wednesday that also brought an end to the Multan leg. The last five overs of the match were thrill-packed in which Karachi Kings skipper Imad Wasim, who remained not out on 47, could not make his side home.

He could not  get a boundary of the last ball. Multan Sultans who were looking for their fourth consecutive win saw their skipper Mohammad Rizwan leading from the front. After Shan Masood’s half century, Rizwan steered Multan to 196 for two with a brilliant century, which was the second of his career. Then they, despite wilting during the death overs, controlled Karachi Kings’ progress to only let them get 193 runs for five. Kings’ opener James Vince with his gutsy innings almost took the gloss off Rizwan’s powered-packed century and also sent shivers down Multan’s spine. Sultans were relieved only when he was run out in the tenth when Kings were at 105. Vince stitched magnificent 75 runs in 34 balls with six sixes and seven fours. His departure applied breaks on Kings chase. Karachi, which was looking for reversal of fortunes, had a whirlwind start to their first powerplay when Vince and Mathew Wade put to the sword Multan attack. They hammered 72 runs in the first six overs while Karachi Kings had their 50 runs in 3.4 overs. It was Vince who clobbered the ball to all corners of the ground. He made his 50 off 20 balls (6 x 4, 4 x 6). In dire need of a breakthrough, Multan skipper Rizwan tossed the ball to Usama Mir who responded with the wicket of Wade, first ball lbw at 20(14b 3×4 1×6). But Vince did not stop scoring at the other end, who was joined by Haider Ali. He maintained above 10 run rate before his departure. Haider and Shoaib Malik togetherness at the crease lasted for just around two overs and the young batter became the victim of Khushdil Shah, leaving Karachi 113 for three in 12 overs. Now   Malik and Imad Wasim at the crease, Kings required 60runs off the last five overs, which were very crucial for both the sides.   Abbas Afridi bowled brilliantly. As Ishanullah conceded just three runs  16th over, Afridi responded exceptionally with the wicket  after having been hit for a six to long-off by Imad. Afridi gave  and also took a wicket there. The King’s captain was joined in by Ben Cutting when they required48 runs in 18 balls. Ihsanullah with his sheer pace allowed Kings only get foursingles off four balls but Cutting hit a four on the fifth and there were eightruns produced in the 18th over. But still it was a long journey forthe visiting side to surpass as they needed 49 runs in 12 balls. Imad, however, observed the pressure of the situation and rather transferredit on the bowler in the 19th over. He hit two sixes on the fourthand fifth ball of Mohammad Ilyas, who in turn also bowled three wides. However,on the final ball of the over, Imad was dropped by Ilyas on his own bowling. Now it was 22 needed in six balls and the bowler was Abbas. Kingsgot seven runs on a very first ball that was a no ball. As the next ball was asingle taken by Imad, the following ball was wide to Cutting, who on the nextdelivery hit a six.The next ball was again a wide and the third official delivery wasa dot, Abbas took Cutting’s wicket on the fourth ball. He made 12 runs in 10balls. At that point, Kings were looking for six in two balls for a winand five for a tie. Irfan Khan came in to face Abbas, who gave one run each oneither of the two las balls and in spite of bowling follies earned Multan theirfourth straight win. Shan Masood and Rizwan gave a perfect start to Multan Sultans onceagain. As Shan looked more aggressive in his approach and scored 31 runs off 18balls in the first five overs, Rizwan kept playing patiently while rotating thestrike. However, Rizwan later produced career-best 110 runs off 64 balls andalso built a 109 runs partnership with Rilee Russouw. Rizwan, who is considered not proficient enough to hit sixes, timedthe ball three times over the ropes and 10 times rolling across. Shan and Rizwan were going great guns for Sultans and theytogether added 85 runs for the first wicket. But Shoaib Malik gave the Kings amuch-needed breakthrough in the 11th over. He sent Shan packing forhis personal 51 that came in 33 balls, aided with six fours and a six. Shan,who struggled in the previous games, gained form and partnered up with skipperRizwan to put his side in a strong position. Though Sultans were in a commanding position half way throughtheir innings, the momentum shifted Kings way. They kept Sultans quiet forfive overs once Shan was back in the pavilion but even Kings could not haveguessed at that point in time that a massive phase was ahead. Rizwan, who scored half-centuries in three of the first fourmatches, also remained steady as he scored 13 off 12 balls in five overs, tohelp Multan Sultans reach 45 in five overs.In-form Rilee Rossouw joined the party and continued from where heleft off in the previous match. The South African started to hit boundaries,but it was Rizwan who punished the opposition’s bowlers the most rather moreinstantly.The two batters put on a sensational partnership of 109 runs forthe second wicket, but 77 runs of the partnership belonged to Rizwan. Rossouw,however, perished in the last over after scoring 29 runs off 21 balls withaddition of four fours. Rizwan and Kieron Pollard (2) remained unbeaten.Mohammad Umer and Shoaib Malik had success with the ball as they shared onewicket each. Earlier, Karachi Kings had won the toss and opted to bowl first.Multan who were top of the table swelled their points from six to eight fromfive games. After losing their opening match against defending championsLahore Qalandars, Multan have now registered four consecutive victories. Karachisecured their maiden win, against Lahore Qalandars on Sunday, in the eventafter suffering three consecutive losses and their fourth defeat came at thehands of Multan.The home side would now be hoping to continue their good run inthe tournament and cement their place at the top of the table. With the Multan andKarachi match being the last at southern city, the league after another three matchesat Karachi would now shift to Rawalpindi and Lahore.Points table:  Team Played Won Lost Points Multan Sultans 5 4 1 8 Lahore Qalandars 3 2 1 4 Peshawar Zalmi 3 2 1 4 Quetta Gladiators 4 1 3 2 Islamabad United 2 1 1 2 Karachi Kings 5 1 4 2