Sohaib Maqsood hits unbeaten 85 as league leaders Multan Sultans continue good form in PSL

Denzil Pinto 09:23 07/03/2018
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    • Debutants and league leaders Multan Sultans continued their brilliant run in the PSL with a convincing 19-run win over defending champions Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai on Tuesday evening.

    Sohaib Maqsood stole the show with an unbeaten 85 as Multan Sultans posted 183-3 before Mohammad Hafeez’s 56 went in vain.

    Here are three takeaways from the match:

    Sohaib Maqsood takes charge

    Hasn’t had the best of campaigns with an unbeaten 26 his highest score so far this term, but that tally was smashed by some distance. When Kumar Sangakkara was out for just 16, Maqsood used all his experience to take Peshawar Zalmi bowlers apart.

    Played a brilliant innings and after finding his rhythm, he didn’t take long to go on the attack. Holding the batting together, he saved his best towards the end of the innings to lead an assault on Peshawar Zalmi. Twice in an over, he smashed two big sixes and a four off Umair Asif before repeating the feat again – this time to Sameen Gul. By the time, the innings ended, his 85 runs came from 42 deliveries (four fours and seven sixes) – just two shy of his highest T20 score.

    Liam Dawson proves his worth again

    For the second game in a row, the Hampshire all-rounder was impressive with the ball. After taking 3-20 in his first game against Lahore Qalandars on Saturday, the Englishman was again effective in Dubai. While his team-mates were not having much luck, Dawson managed to contain the Sultans batsmen with his left-arm orthodox spin. In his four overs, he made it tough for Sultans with 12 dot balls and conceding just one boundary in his 1-17. Was also handy with the bat, scoring 32 off 17.

    Fletcher and Akmal fail to get going

    Brought into the team for his first appearance of the season, Andre Fletcher had a frustrating time at the crease. With a huge target to get and without their influential captain Darren Sammy (rested due to doctor’s advice) it was crucial for the opening batsman to get his team off to the perfect start.

    But despite hitting a huge six, only faced 11 deliveries before falling in the second over. His partner Kamran Akmal, who had been in good nick with two half-centuries in five matches, followed suit, leaving it all to do for Peshawar batsmen early on in the game. Mohammad Hafeez top-scored with 56 but it was too little too late for Peshawar.

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