Multan Sultans Soar Over Lahore Qalandars in Clinical Chase
The Multan Sultans secured a convincing 5-wicket victory over the Lahore Qalandars in a thrilling encounter played at the Multan Cricket Stadium on February 21st, 2024. Chasing a modest target of 167, the Sultans displayed clinical batting to chase down the runs with 1 over to spare.
Qalandars Set a Defensible Total
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Qalandars got off to a decent start with Fakhar Zaman’s 41 and Rassie van der Dussen’s 54 runs. However, they could not capitalize on the platform, losing wickets at regular intervals. Sikandar Raza (23) and Carlos Brathwaite (15) played valuable cameos towards the end to help their team post a respectable 166/5 on the board.
Sultans Cruise to Victory
While the victory might appear smooth on paper, the Multan Sultans’ chase held moments of both tension and thrilling bursts. Mohammad Rizwan (82 off 59) anchored the innings with a composed knock, peppering the boundaries with 9 fours and 3 sixes at a healthy strike rate of 138.98. However, he couldn’t convert his start into a century, falling prey to Zaman Khan.
A mini-collapse followed as Dawid Malan and Reeza Hendricks departed cheaply. Yasir Khan (8 off 13) tried to steady the ship but couldn’t last long. With the required run rate climbing, David Willey (25 off 23) briefly resurrected the chase with a brisk knock, including a four and a six.
Then came the turning point: Iftikhar Ahmed. Stepping in at a crucial juncture, he exploded onto the scene. He dispatched the bowlers with disdain, smashing 5 fours and 2 sixes in a breathtaking innings of 34 runs off just 11 deliveries. His strike rate of 309.09 turned the tide definitively in the Sultans’ favor, leaving them with minimal runs to get in the end.
While Rizwan set the tone, it was Iftikhar’s late blitz that truly propelled the Sultans to victory, showcasing their batting depth and ability to chase under pressure.
Highlights
Multan Sultans won by 5 wickets.
Player of the Match: Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans)
