Cricket
Multan Sultans chased down the target of 152 runs comfortably in 19.1 overs.
Updated : Feb 23, 2018, 01:57 PM IST
Multan Sultans defeated the defending champions Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2018) third edition at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Multan Sultans chased down the target of 152 runs comfortably in 19.1 overs as Kumar Sangakkara scored 57 off 51 balls while Shoaib Malik added 42 off 34 balls.
Sultans won the toss and elected to bowl against the defending Peshawar Zalmi. While batting first, Peshawar Zalmi scored 151/6 in 20 overs with Hafeez 59 off 52 balls and Sammy's 29 off 11 balls.
Mohammad Irfran had picked 2/19 off his four overs.
Chasing 152, the Sultans were dealt an early blow when Ahmed Shehzad fell to Wahab Riaz. However, Sangakkara then shared solid partnerships with Sohaib Maqsood (21) and skipper Shoaib Malik before being dismissed in the 15th over.
Kieron Pollard joined Malik and the two ensured there were no further setbacks for the Multans as they reached their target with five balls to spare.
A brilliant opening spell by Sohail Tanvir, who swung the ball in sharply, backed up by Mohammad Irfan's extra bounce proved particularly troubling for last year's leading run-scorer Kamran Akmal, who fell for a duck attempting to pull cross the line.
The brilliance of Majestic Malik and Sensational Sangakkara earned @multansultans win the the league opener #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/6VboLlt65z
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
The Player of the Match for the opening game of #HBLPSL 2018, @KumarSanga2#DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/pSqfX7rR7P
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Earlier, a glitzy opening ceremony of the third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 was held at the Dubai International Stadium.
A number of stars including Pakistani music icon, Abida Parveen and US rapper, Jason Derulo performed at the opening ceremony that has attracted a packed-weekend crowd at the iconic Dubai stadium.
Highlights from the soulful performance of the Queen of Sufi Music Abida Parveen #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/0at3Fxv0j6
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
The flying man @AliZafarsays . Did you like his high flying performance?#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/bPK9yHKywn
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
International pop star @jasonderulo during his energetic performance at the opening ceremony of #HBLPSL 2018 #DilSeJaanLagade pic.twitter.com/5iRef6FGD0
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Our hosts for the evening @FarooqHareem and @IamBilalAshraf #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/HeLvLDEc9y
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018