Junaid, Tahir spearhead Sultans to second successive win

DUBAI: Debutants Multan Sultans won by 43 runs against Lahore Qalandars in the Punjab Derby held at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday. 

Interestingly, Qalandars lost last seven wickets for four runs in 15 balls. From 132/3 in 14.5 to 146 all out 17.2 overs

Earlier, a 63-run inning of Kumar Sangakkara complimented with a blistering knock of 48(28) runs by Shoaib Malik powered Multan Sultans to give target of 180 runs to Lahore Qalandars.

Two wickets of, Sohail Akhtar and Aamir Yameen, in an over bowled by Imran Tahir turned the match in favour of Sultans, later, hattrick by Junaid Khan sealed the victory for the new-entrants. 

Tahir bagged Man of the Match award. "I was a little but under pressure. I am very pleased with my performance, I dont play for myself, I play for my team. I am grateful to my captain for putting his trust," he said. 

Multan Sultan's skipper Shoaib Malik that Junaid Khan and Imran Tahir played their due role on the given situation.

Tahir and Khan took three wickets each in the game.

Second Innings 

Muhammad Irfan gave Sultans a much-needed breakthrough as Sunil Narine got out on his delivery after playing a fiery innings of 26 runs. In the 20-ball brief stunt the Windies all-rounder hit two fours and one six. 

Match instantly turned in the favour of Sultans after the dismissal of Qalandar skipper Brendon McCullum. Sohail Tanvir, standing at the third man position took his catch. The skipper failed to hit a short ball delivered by Muhammad Irfan.

McCullum departed without scoring any run.

With the arrival of Umar Akmal on the crease, the match in a sudden turned in favour of the Qalandars. 

The Sultans' bowling lineup were unable to find a breakthrough, let alone restrict the run-assault by both the batsmen.

A slow delivery by Pollard was mistimed by Akmal on 12.3 overs. Windies all rounder Bravo took his catch on long-on. The middle-order's bastman ended on 31 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and one six. 

Followed by Akmal's dismissal, an outstanding catch by Ahmad Shehzad ended the 49-run innings of Fakhar Zaman.

Tahir bowled a game-changing over for Sultans. First a flipper from him bold promising Qalandars' batsman Sohail Akhtar.

One delivery later, Aamir Yameen met the same fate.

Junaid Khan with a hat-trick dismissed Yasir Shah, Cameron Delport and Raza Hasan. 

The last wicket of the Qalandars was taken by Imran Tahir.

Sangakkara shines again

Sultans' openers, Ahmed Shehzad and Kumar Sangakkara, provided an ideal start to the team. With boundaries being hit all over the stadium, the Qalandars' bowling lineup is yet to find a breakthrough.

Ahmed Shehzad was dismissed courtesy a good review by the Qalandars which confirmed an edge to the wicket keeper on the ball of Mustafizur Rehman. The opener scored 38 runs.

The next man in, Sohaib Maqsood, failed to carry forward the momentum as he was seen completely baffled on a quick googly by Yasir Shah. He only scored four runs off six balls. 

Sangakkara reached the half-century mark with a paddle-scoop over fine-leg. The ball raced towards boundary. 

Sangakkara departed on 63 off 44. Fakhar Zaman took his safe catch on the long-on, his innings included five fours and three sixes. 

Kieron Pollard was back to the pavilion without scoring any run courtesy a direct hit by Yasir Shah.

On the second last ball of the innings, Malik threw away his wicket as he attempted for an unsuccessful run. Umar Akmal hit the wicket with his under-arm throw

Multan Sultans marked their PSL debut with a seven-wicket win against title defenders Peshawar Zalmi in the opening match of the tournament on Thursday.

The Sultans made one change to the side that defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the tournament's opening match - Darren Bravo has been picked in the place of Hardus Viljoen.

Kumar Sangakkara hit 57 and skipper Shoaib Malik scored a blistering 42 not out, chasing down Zalmi’s 151 comfortably and sending out a clear message to their opponents: they may be playing in the PSL for the first time, but they are fully prepared.