Sharjah: Imran Tahir’s hat-trick and twin-strikes from Sohail Tanvir and Junaid Khan wrecked Quetta Gladiators to give Multan Sultans an emphatic nine-wicket win with 20 balls to spare in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Kumar Sangakkara also sparkled for the winners again with his third half century.
Tahir claimed Hasan Khan, John Hastings and Rahat Ali in a sensational 16th over to become only the third bowler after Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan to bag a hat-trick in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history. Quetta were bowled out for 102 in 15.4 overs.
Chasing the moderate total, Multan openers Sangakkara and Ahmad Shahzad put on 66 runs in 10.4 overs by batting cautiously and making Quetta bowling look mediocre. After Shahzad got out lifting Hasan Khan to long-on for 27, Sangakkara opened out by hitting Khan for a straight six. Sangakkara reached his third half century from his last four innings in 43 balls. He remained unbeaten on 51 runs off 44 balls with five boundaries and a six and put on 42 runs in six overs with Shoaib Maqsood (26n.o).
Earlier, Multan won the toss and elected to bowl. In the fourth over, Sohail Tanvir had Umar Amin on 8, caught at deep third man while attempting a slog across the line. In the next over, Rameez Raja jr who replaced Kevin Pietersen, aiming to hit Junaid Khan out of the ground, got bowled for 1.
Two overs later, Junaid also made Shane Watson pull to Shoaib Maqsood at mid-wicket for 19. Rilee Rossouw got stumped by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara off Shoaib Malek when he went for a slog shot after scoring just nine runs. At the half way mark, Quetta were 76 for 4.
Skipper Sarfraz Ahmad and Mohammad Mahmudullah put on 23 more runs in the next three overs before Mahmudullah on 15 got caught behind off a Mohammad Irfan delivery that gained extra bounce.
Mohammad Nawaz joined his skipper who was batting smoothly. Nawaz lasted just three balls to score seven runs and spooned an easy catch to Kieron Pollard at wide long-on off Tanvir. Sarfraz fell to the next ball, hooking Tanvir to Sohaib Maqsood at deep square leg for 30.
Tahir then went on to produce his hat-trick and hasten Quetta’s fall.
