KARACHI: Steve Smith scored a brisk fifty as Multan Sultans outplayed Rawalpindiz by six wickets in the 31st match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
After limiting Pindiz to 166, Sultans chased down the target within 18 overs, losing four wickets in the process.
The opening wicket added 29 in 3.3 overs before Asif Afridi castled Sahibzada Farhan, who made 20 from 17 balls.
After an early wicket, Steve Smith took control of the innings, forging a 69-run stand with compatriot Josh Philippe. The pair made light work of the chase and brought the team’s total to 98 at the halfway mark of the innings.
Smith took young bowler Razaullah to the cleaners, smashing him for a four and three consecutive sixes. However, Afridi provided Pindiz the much-needed breakthrough in the form of Philippe’s wicket, who made 17 from 19 balls.
In the next over, Saad Masood snared Smith to revive Pindiz’s hopes of sealing a first win. Suddenly, the scorecard read 100-3 in 11.3 overs.
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The quick wickets brought two new batters — Shan Masood (20 off 22 balls) and Ashton Turner at the crease. Both batters soaked up the pressure, adding a 57-run partnership that took their side close to the finishing line.
Turner remained unbeaten at the end, hitting three fours and a six in his calculated knock.
For Rawalpindiz, Asif Afridi took two wickets each.
Earlier, A fighting half-century from Daryl Mitchell and a late cameo from Dian Forrester propelled Rawalpindiz to a fighting total
Opting to bat first, Rawalpindiz managed to post 166-4 in 20 overs, despite a sluggish start.
Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Veteran Peter Siddle combined to jolt winless Pindiz in the opening overs. Shahzaib Khan was caught behind without scoring, while Yasir Khan only managed four.
At the end of the powerplay, Rawalpindiz were reeling at 33-2 with Mohammad Rizwan and Daryl Mitchell at the crease.
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The pair took their side out of trouble with a 63-run partnership, albeit coming off 50 balls. The scorecard read 69 in 10.2 overs when Rizwan departed after scoring 26 from 29 balls.
Meanwhile, Mitchell kept the scoreboard ticking, stitching a half-century stand with Sam Billings that took the score over the 100-run mark. Billings made 29 off 20 with the aid of two fours and a six.
The highlight of the Rawalpindiz innings was an unbeaten 45* run partnership between Mitchell and Forrester that propelled the team’s total from 121 to 166 in 20 overs.
Mitchell scored 58 off 46 deliveries, striking two sixes and three fours. On the contrary, Dan Forrester hit three maximums and three fours in his 37 off just 15 balls.
For Multan Sultans, it was an all-round bowling show with Imran Randhawa remaining the pick of bowlers. He finished with one for nine in three overs.
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