An all-round performance of the Multan Sultans sailed them to a nine-wicket victory against the Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday in the third match of the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Explosive batter Rilee Rossouw led the charge for the Sultans as they easily chased down 111 runs with 39 balls in hand.
Impressive Rossouw brought up his eighth PSL 50 off 33 balls to help Sultans finish off the job with the bat. He scored 78 not-out off just 42 balls laced with nine boundaries and three maximums.
It was Ihsanullah's day today as the 20-year-old bowler took five wickets to help Sultans bowl out Gladiators for 110. Ihsanullah shined brightly with his speedy deliveries and bagged back-to-back wickets to dominate in just his second match of the debut PSL season. He claimed five wickets and conceded just 12 runs in his four overs.
Apart from Ihsanullah, Sultans' other two pacers, Sameen Gul, and Abbas Afridi gave their side an early boost by claiming a wicket each.
Sameen struck in his first over as aggressive batter Martin Guptill was sent packing after scoring seven runs.
The next to fall was Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, who was caught by mid-on fielder Kieron Pollard off Abbas Afridi.
Meanwhile, Quetta lost Sarfaraz Ahmed after Ihsanullah bowled a fiery delivery to topple the stumps. The skipper went back after scoring only two runs.
Ihsanullah struck again in his second over, as he sent destructive batter Jason Roy packing after scoring 27 runs.
However, Multan overcame the fall as Rossouw took charge of the run-chase, hitting boundaries.
Rossouw and Rizwan partnered strongly to score 108 runs together as Sultans registered a nine-wicket victory in 13.3 overs.
Multan Sultan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Akeal Hossain, Usama Mir, Sameen Gul, Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Martin Guptill, Umar Akmal, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Abdul Wahid, Bangalzai, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Nuwan Thushara
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