Image Credit- PSL
The Multan Sultans, who were defeated by a single run
in the exciting final against Lahore Qalandars the previous year, started their
season at the Multan Cricket Stadium with a commanding 55-run victory over the
all-rounder-heavy Karachi Kings.
Kings won the toss and decided to field, and Sultans’ overseas acquisitions,
South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks and England’s Dawid Malan, both hit
half-centuries in the home team’s formidable total of 185 for 2.
Sultans limited their opponents to 130 for 8 in 20 overs as veteran
Shoaib Malik blasted 53 off 35 balls and Kings captain Shan Masood battled for
his 30 off 31 balls against his previous team.
In an otherwise dull effort by the former champion
Kings, the only other batter to reach double digits was West Indian
power-hitter Kieron Pollard (28 not out).
A resolute 52 was produced by Malan, then Hendricks smashed an unbeaten 79 off
54 to put up a solid total with a 121-run second-wicket stand. Malan was bowled
out in deep off a slower delivery by Daniel Sams shortly after reaching his
fifty, but Khushdil Shah added a final flourish with a thirteen-ball
twenty-eight not out.
Fast bowler Mohammad Ali (3-23) ran through Karachi’s
lower order and David Willey (2-22) chipped in with the wickets of James Vince
and Saad Baig off successive deliveries in his second over as Kings’ chase
never got going against Sultans’ pace.