Mohammad Rizwan, Imran Tahir sail Multan to win against Karachi in PSL opener

KARACHI: Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Imran Tahir shined the brightest on Thursday as they helped their team sail to a seven-wicket victory against Karachi Kings in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at National Stadium. 

Rizwan played a captain's knock as he scored 52 off 47 balls, while Tahir gave his side the opening wicket and also took a total of three crucial scalps — Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Tom Lammonby — after they won the toss and put Karachi to bat.

The Kings' bowlers could not perform up to the mark as they were already under pressure as the Babar Azam-led side had handed a meagre 124-run target to the Sultans, which they completed in 18.2 overs at the loss of three wickets.

Read more: Babar Azam's early dismissal against Multan leaves fans disappointed

Mohammad Nabi took two wickets and Mohammad Ilyas took one for the Kings. 

Apart from Rizwan, Shan Masood scored 26 runs, Sohaib Maqsood 30 runs, and Tim David — who also ended the match in style with a massive six — scored 12 runs. 

Karachi's innings

The Karachi Kings handed a meagre 124-run target to the defending champions Multan Sultans, as Imran Tahir picked up three wickets to restrict the Babar Azam-led.

The fall of wickets began in the 10th over when Tahir picked up the first and crucial wicket of Sharjeel Khan (43), who was on a roll with his opening partner and skipper Babar Azam.

Read more: Aima Baig's PSL 2022 opening ceremony performance garners love, criticism

Later in the 11th over, Khushdil Shah took the wicket of Babar in the next over (23), piling up pressure on the Sultans.

Mohammad Nabi was the third man to go for 10 of 17 balls and the man to dismiss him was Tahir. In the same over, the veteran spinner picked up the wicket of Tom Lammonby (1). Joe Clarke (26) was dismissed by Shahnawaz Dahani in the 18th over.

The Sultans only gave six extras in 20 overs. Defending champions Multan had won the toss and elected to field first against Karachi.

The Kings suffered a blow hours before the match as former skipper Wasim and international player Jordan Thompson have tested positive for coronavirus.

Playing XI

Karachi Kings: Babar Azam (c), Sharjeel Khan, Joe Clarke (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Tom Lammonby, Lewis George, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Taha, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Ilyas

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Shan Masood, Sohaib Maqsood, Rilee Rossouw, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Imran Tahir, Imran Khan sr, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ihsanullah

Opening ceremony

Earlier, the seventh edition of the tournament kicked off at National Stadium, Karachi evening with a spectacular opening ceremony.

PSL 7 anthem artists Atif Aslam and Aima Baig performed in a colourful opening ceremony.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special message to PSL teams was also played during the ceremony, followed by a vibrant fireworks display.

“I am opening the seventh PSL and I hope every team fights till the last ball and entertains the public,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a video message.