By Mushfi The 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) provided cricket fans with another exhilarating match, as the Multan Sultans faced off against the Quetta Gladiators at the renowned Multan Cricket Stadium. This contest was a nail-biter, with the Multan Sultans narrowly edging out the Gladiators by 13 runs. Both teams showcased brilliant moments throughout the match, but it was the Sultans’ all-around performance that saw them secure victory. Here’s an in-depth look at the match’s scorecard, key highlights, and significant moments from the game.
Multan Sultans’ Innings: A Competitive Total
The Multan Sultans were put into bat first, and they set a challenging target of 181 for the Quetta Gladiators. The Sultans started well, but there were moments of uncertainty along the way. The team posted a total of 180/4 in their 20 overs, and while it was a competitive total, they were pushed hard by the Gladiators throughout their innings.
Top Scorers:
Reeza Hendricks played a match-defining knock, top-scoring for Multan with 72 runs off 47 balls. Hendricks’ innings included 7 fours and 4 sixes, giving him an impressive strike rate of 153.19. His partnership with captain Mohammad Rizwan helped the Sultans recover after an early stumble.
Mohammad Rizwan, the Sultans’ captain, contributed a steady 51 runs from 42 balls. Rizwan’s innings provided the much-needed stability to the team, even as wickets fell around him.
Tayyab Tahir, who remained unbeaten on 35 off 22 balls, played a vital role in pushing the Sultans to a respectable total. His contribution in the latter stages of the innings proved crucial.
Khushdil Shah added a quick 1* off 1 ball, providing the finishing touch in the final over.
Key Highlights:
Early Setbacks: The Sultans’ innings began with two early wickets, including Usman Khan (14 off 7 balls) and Rizwan falling. This put pressure on the middle order, but Hendricks and Tahir stabilized the innings.
Middle Order Struggles: While the top order did well, the lower middle order faced some difficulties. Iftikhar Ahmed, for instance, was dismissed for a duck in the final overs.
Partnerships: Despite the setbacks, Hendricks and Tahir’s 81-run partnership gave the Sultans a platform to build upon, allowing them to reach a competitive total of 180/4.
Quetta Gladiators’ Response: A Fighting Effort
Chasing 181, Quetta Gladiators had a strong start, but their innings faltered as they failed to maintain the required run rate throughout their chase. The Gladiators could only muster 167/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 13 runs in a tense finish.
Top Scorers:
Khawaja Nafay was the standout performer for the Gladiators, scoring a solid 36 runs off 31 balls. Nafay’s knock provided a good foundation for the chase, but he lacked support as the innings progressed.
Rilee Rossouw also chipped in with 30 runs off 18 balls. His contribution kept the Gladiators in the hunt, but they needed more consistency throughout the innings.
Saud Shakeel added 24 runs off 13 balls, but the middle order couldn’t capitalize on the start provided by Nafay and Rossouw.
Jason Roy fell early for just 12 runs off 15 balls, putting the Gladiators on the back foot from the outset.
Key Highlights:
Early Setback for Roy: The Gladiators’ chase was off to a poor start when Jason Roy was dismissed early for just 12 runs. This left the Gladiators under pressure, and they were never quite able to recover.
Resistance from Nafay and Rossouw: Nafay and Rossouw tried to build a partnership, but their efforts were not enough to challenge the Sultans’ total.
Wickets Falling at Crucial Times: The Gladiators lost wickets at regular intervals, with key players like Akeal Hosein and Mohammad Wasim Jr. unable to push the chase forward significantly.
Strong Bowling by Multan Sultans: The Sultans’ bowlers rose to the occasion, and their ability to take wickets at crucial moments helped maintain control of the game. Their bowlers were consistent and disciplined, ensuring the Gladiators never got fully back into the contest.
Bowling Performance: The Sultans’ Key Strength
Multan Sultans’ bowlers were pivotal in the victory, with several bowlers stepping up at crucial moments. The bowling attack was led by David Willey, who picked up three important wickets. Willey’s contribution with the ball was outstanding, especially with the wickets of Sherfane Rutherford and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Willey ended with figures of 3/33.
Mohammad Ali also had a crucial role in the win, taking 2/27 in his four overs. Ali’s disciplined bowling helped keep the pressure on the Gladiators’ batsmen.
Aftab Ibrahim chipped in with 2/24, and his performance was equally impactful in keeping the Gladiators’ chase under control.
Final Scorecard
Here’s a breakdown of the final scorecard:
Multan Sultans – 180/4 (20 overs):
Reeza Hendricks: 72 (47 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes)
Mohammad Rizwan: 51 (42 balls, 5 fours)
Tayyab Tahir: 35* (22 balls, 2 fours)
Iftikhar Ahmed: 0 (1 ball)
Khushdil Shah: 1* (1 ball)
Extras: 7
Quetta Gladiators – 167/9 (20 overs):
Khawaja Nafay: 36 (31 balls, 3 fours)
Rilee Rossouw: 30 (18 balls, 3 fours)
Saud Shakeel: 24 (13 balls, 1 four)
Jason Roy: 12 (15 balls)
Akeal Hosein: 9* (7 balls)
Extras: 8
Result: Multan Sultans won by 13 runs.
This match was a brilliant display of both batting and bowling skills. The Sultans held their nerve and secured a well-earned victory, with the Gladiators pushing them until the very end.
FAQs:
What was the final result of the match between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators?
The Multan Sultans won by 13 runs after posting a total of 180/4, with the Gladiators falling short at 167/9.
Who was the top scorer for Multan Sultans in this match?
Reeza Hendricks was the top scorer for the Sultans, scoring 72 runs off 47 balls.
What was the key difference in the match?
The key difference in the match was Multan Sultans’ strong bowling performance, especially from David Willey, who took three crucial wickets, and the consistent pressure they put on the Gladiators throughout the innings.
Which Gladiators’ player scored the most runs?
Khawaja Nafay was the highest scorer for Quetta Gladiators, with 36 runs off 31 balls.
What are the bowling figures for David Willey in this match?
David Willey took 3 wickets for 33 runs in his 4 overs, making him the standout bowler for the Sultans.
To read more, Click Here