Rizwan sheds light on Sultans' defeat

Express Tribune

14-04-2025

Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan highlighted factors that led to his team's four-wicket defeat in their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 campaign opener against Karachi Kings at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Despite posting a massive 234-3, thanks to Rizwan's unbeaten century, the 2021 winner suffered a four-wicket defeat against hosts Kings with James Vince's 43-ball 101.
Reflecting on his team's performance in the recently-concluded fixture, Rizwan shared that it was challenging for the bowlers to execute the plans because of the due factor.
The wicketkeeper batter also highlighted sloppy fielding as one of the factors behind the defeat.
"It was tough for bowling, the ball was getting wet," said Rizwan at the post-match presentation.
"It was swinging a bit early, had that not been there we could have got 250. But credit to the opposition as well.
"I knew the field was fast and the ball was travelling, and dew didn't help us as well.
"Our execution wasn't up to the mark, that's why they were able to chase 234. There were a few misfields and that hurt us, we shouldn't have allowed them to get these big partnerships.
The four-wicket defeat put Sultans at fourth in the PSL 2025 standings, while Kings acquired the third position.
Milestone for Vince
Vince scored a record century that helped the Kings chase down a mammoth 235-run target, alongside a half-century from Khushdil Shah.
With this match-winning knock, the right-handed batter became the third-fastest centurion in PSL history, reaching the milestone in just 42 balls.
The fastest century in PSL history belongs to Multan Sultans' Usman Khan, who scored his ton in 36 balls, followed by Rilee Rossouw with a 41-ball century.
Chasing a daunting 235-run target, the home side reached the total with four wickets in hand and four balls to spare.
Leading the way for the Kings was Vince, who top-scored in the run chase with a quickfire 101 off just 43 deliveries, including 14 fours and four sixes.
He was also involved in a match-winning 142-run partnership with Khushdil Shah, who made a blistering 60 off 38 deliveries, laced with five fours and four sixes.
The duo, however, were dismissed within the span of a few deliveries, bringing the Kings' total to 222/6 in 18.3 overs.
But a sensible seventh-wicket stand between Muhammad Irfan Khan and Abbas Afridi guided the Kings over the line on the second delivery of the final over.
For the Sultans, Akif Javed took three wickets, while Michael Bracewell and Usama Mir made one scalp apiece.
Earlier, after being put into bat, the visitors posted 234/3 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Rizwan's masterful knock.
Rizwan remained unbeaten on 105 off 63 balls, featuring nine fours and five sixes, while Michael Bracewell contributed a rapid 44* off 17 deliveries, hitting five fours and three sixes.
The Mohammad Rizwan-led side's next match is scheduled on Wednesday against the 2019 winners Quetta Gladiators, who sit at the top of the standings, courtesy of their 80-run victory over traditional rivals Peshawar Zalmi in Rawalpindi.