Shan Masood’s career-best 42-ball 73 helped Multan Sultans outmuscle Quetta Gladiators by 110 runs in Match 25 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. This is the biggest margin of victory by runs in the tournament’s history.
The defeat guaranteed Quetta a bottom-of-league-table finish. Sarfraz Ahmed’s men only have two wins in nine matches. Multan, on the other hand, strengthened their position at fourth place, with four wins and as many defeats.
Earlier, Masood and Mohammad Rizwan (21 off 23) had scored 50 runs together in six overs after Sarfraz won the toss and asked them to bat first. Rizwan played second fiddle in a 72-run opening stand before Masood fell to Khurram Shahzad (2-26) in the ninth over. No. 3 Sohaib Maqsood (5) did not last long. Multan were 88/2 at the halfway mark.
Masood and Johnson Charles (47 off 24) shared 37 runs for the third wicket before Hassan Khan (1-16) dismissed Masood in the 14th over. Khushdil Shah (20 not out) and Charles smashed 49 runs in the last four overs to guide Multan reach 183/5.
Jake Weatherald (19 off 10) and Usman Khan (12) had got the starts but failed to convert them to a big score. Cameron Delport and Azam Khan (2) returned to the pavilion cheaply as well. From 46/3, Quetta slipped to 59/8 in a span of just two overs. No batter scored in excess of 20 before they were bowled out for 73 in 12.1 overs.
Imran Tahir returned 2-1-7-3 and Imran Khan 2-0-13-2. Blessing Muzarabani (1-8), Sohail Tanvir (1-28) and Shahnawaz Dhani (1-15) all claimed a wicket each.
Brief Scores
Multan Sultans 183/5 in 20 overs (Masood 73; Khurram 2-26) beat Quetta Gladiators 73 in 12.1 overs (Weatherald 19, Tahir 3-7) by 110 runs. Player of the Match: Shan Masood.