Image Credit- PSL
In a lopsided
qualifier on Thursday, Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi by seven wickets
to easily advance to their fourth consecutive Pakistan Super League final.
Prior to losing to Lahore Qalandars in the last two years’ finals, the Sultans
had won the competition in 2021.
When Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, take against the victor of the eliminator
between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators on Saturday, they will have
another chance to advance to Monday’s final.
After Zalmi was
restricted to a below-par 146-7, opening batsman Yasir Khan (54) and the
in-form Usman Khan (36*) took the Sultans to 147-3 in 18.3 overs.
Without fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq of Afghanistan (who missed the playoffs due
to an international obligation), Zalmi’s bowlers found it difficult to hold a
low total.
Yasir scored a match-winning half-century off just 30 balls after sharing a
commanding opening partnership of 61 with captain Muhammad Rizwan (15). Mehran
Mumtaz (1-28), a left-arm spinner, was unable to make an impression during the
power play, but in his return stint, he eventually had Yasir caught off his own
bowling in the eleventh over.
Pace rarely troubled
Usman, who became the first batter in PSL history to score two hundreds in a
single season, while Iftikhar Ahmed wrapped off the match with a blistering 22
off eight balls.
Earlier, after Babar won the toss and decided to bat, Zalmi found it difficult
to counter the pace and spin. In the opening over, Mohammad Haris (22)
continued his below-par performance when he defeated fast bowler Mohammad Ali
inside the power play after David Willey had danger man Saim Ayub caught at
deep square leg.
The best run scorer in the tournament, Babar, reached 46 off 42 balls, but the
middle overs were stifling for the hitters thanks to spinners Ahmed (0-9) and
Usama Mir (2-16).