Imran, Rizwan script commanding win

Multan Sultans began their title defence with a dominating seven-wicket win over Karachi Kings in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 opener thanks to Imran Tahir’s brilliant three for 16 and Mohammad Rizwan’s breezy 52 not out off 47.

Imran’s crucial wickets of Sharjeel Khan in his first spell, and of Mohammad Nabi and Tom Lammonby in one over restricted Karachi to 124, which Multan overhauled with 10 balls spare.

Other performers:

Karachi’s Sharjeel hammered 43 off 31, clubbing three sixes and as many fours, in the 66-run opening stand with Babar Azam.

Multan opener Shan Masood scored 26 off 18 to provide a solid start with a partnership worth 38 runs, before Rizwan and Sohaib Maqsood (30 off 31) added 63 for the second wicket.

Quotes:

Imran Tahir – It is a special feeling. I cannot put it in words. I am very happy I delivered what the team demanded of me and I hope my team and I continue to do what we did today. It is always good to be back in Pakistan. I am from here and my family is here. Hopefully, I will see all of my lovely friends after the tournament. We had a lovely crowd today, so I want to thank them for coming out to support us and the game of cricket, which is really nice to see in this sad time we are living in. I am looking forward to the next three weeks.

Scores in brief:

Karachi Kings 124-5, 20 overs (Sharjeel Khan 43, Joe Clarke 26, Babar Azam 23; Imran Tahir 3-16)

Multan Sultans 126-3, 18.2 overs, (Mohammad Rizwan 52 not out, Sohaib Maqsood 30, Shan Masood 26; Mohammad Nabi 2-17)