Image Credit- PSL
Usman Khan scored
the fastest century of the Pakistan Super League so far on Sunday, helping
Multan Sultans defeat Karachi Kings by 20 runs and advance to the playoffs.
With their sixth victory in seven games, the Sultans maintained their unbeaten
streak. With 12 points, they are first in the rankings, whereas Karachi, in
fifth position, has only won two of their last six games.
Usman, who was born in Pakistan but currently plays for the United Arab
Emirates, reached his ton in 56 deliveries before smashing 106 not out off 58
balls. Captain Mohammad Rizwan elected to bat first and scored fifty-eight
points in Multan’s formidable 189 for three.
Before reaching 169
for 7 in 20 overs and dropping their third straight home game, the Kings never
looked dangerous. Usama Mir (2-29) grabbed the most wickets in the tournament,
clean-bowling captain Shan Masood for 36 off 29 balls. Legspinner Mir increased
his total of wickets to fifteen. Muhammad Ali, a fast bowler, has 14 after
taking 1 for 40.
Usman and Rizwan had a second-wicket stand of 148 off 93 balls as they took
advantage of some careless bowling from the Kings. Before Usman hit his century
against Mir Hamza in the final over, Rizwan was caught at mid-off after
reaching his half-century.
The Kings’ overseas
signings Tim Seifert (1) and James Vince (7) fell inside the batting powerplay.
Shoaib Malik top-scored for his team with 38 before holing out at long off in
the 12th over and the Kings had plenty of soft dismissals in the run-chase.