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–Sultans defend 207 as Kings fall short in PSL thriller
BeNewz Report
KARACHI: Multan Sultans defeated Karachi Kings by 11 runs in a high-scoring Pakistan Super League clash in Karachi on Sunday, successfully defending a challenging total of 207.
Chasing 208 at the National Stadium, Karachi Kings finished on 196 for eight in their 20 overs, falling short despite a late surge in the death overs. The home side struggled to keep up with the rising required run rate, which crossed 14 in the final stages.
Karachi mounted a strong push in the last five overs, scoring 68 runs, but lost four crucial wickets during that period. The loss of momentum at key moments ultimately derailed their chase.
Hasan Ali provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 17 off just five balls, smashing two sixes at a strike rate of 340. However, he lacked support from the other end, with Adam Zampa contributing only one run, leaving too much to do in the closing deliveries.
Earlier, Abbas Afridi had kept Karachi in contention with a quick 34 off 16 balls. His dismissal at 185 for eight in the 18th over proved decisive, as the lower order failed to maintain the required tempo.
Multan’s bowling unit delivered under pressure, particularly in the death overs. Peter Siddle stood out with figures of two wickets for 27 runs in 3.4 overs, applying control when it mattered most. Mohammad Imran chipped in with one wicket, although he conceded 48 runs in his four overs on a batting-friendly pitch.
Earlier, Multan Sultans posted 207 for seven in their 20 overs, maintaining a run rate above 10 throughout the innings. Their batting lineup capitalized on favorable conditions at the National Stadium, setting up a competitive total.
The Pakistan Super League has increasingly seen high-scoring matches in recent seasons, particularly in Karachi, where average first-innings totals have crossed 180, according to Pakistan Cricket Board data. However, chasing targets above 200 remains a significant challenge in T20 cricket, with global success rates below 40 percent.
Multan Sultans, PSL champions in 2021, have maintained consistent performances in recent editions, regularly contending for playoff spots. In contrast, Karachi Kings, who won the title in 2020, have struggled to close out tight games in recent seasons.
The result strengthens Multan Sultans position in the PSL 2026 standings and reinforces their credentials as strong title contenders, while Karachi Kings will need to reassess their finishing strategy as the tournament progresses.
