(Cricket News) The Multan Sultans, who were defeated by a single run in the exciting final against Lahore Qalandars the previous year, started their season at the Multan Cricket Stadium with a commanding 55-run victory over the all-rounder-heavy Karachi Kings.
Kings won the toss and decided to field, and Sultans’ overseas acquisitions, South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks and England’s Dawid Malan, both hit half-centuries in the home team’s formidable total of 185 for 2.
The Sultans limited their opponents to 130 for 8 in 20 overs as veteran Shoaib Malik blasted 53 off 35 balls and Kings captain Shan Masood battled for his 30 off 31 balls against his previous team. In an otherwise dull effort by the former champion Kings, the only other batter to reach double digits was West Indian power-hitter Kieron Pollard (28 not out).
A resolute 52 was produced by Malan, then Hendricks smashed an unbeaten 79 off 54 to put up a solid total with a 121-run second-wicket stand. Malan was bowled out in deep off a slower delivery by Daniel Sams shortly after reaching his fifty, but Khushdil Shah added a final flourish with a thirteen-ball twenty-eight not out.
King’s chase against Sultans’ pace never materialized as fast bowler Mohammad Ali (3-23) sliced through Karachi’s lower order and David Willey (2-22) chipped in with the wickets of James Vince and Saad Baig off consecutive deliveries in his second over.
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