Multan match-winner Maqsood praises Malik

Sultans batsman credits captain’s support for his return to form

Multan Sultans’ right-handed batsman Sohaib Maqsood has credited captain Shoaib Malik for his return to form after his brilliant innings helped the new entrants register a 19-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old was in terrible form coming into the match, with scores of 24, 4, 1 and 26 not out to his name, and had looked completely out of sorts in those innings.

However, on Tuesday, Maqsood struck this edition’s highest score of 85 off just 42 balls, a knock that included four fours and seven massive sixes.

While talking to the media after the innings, Maqsood, who has represented Pakistan in 26 ODIs and 20 T20Is, revealed the positive influence of captain Malik.

“I must give credit to Shoaib [Malik] bhai for my innings,” said Maqsood. “He told me that he is not expecting consistent performances from me or for me to deliver in every game. Instead, all he wants me to do is play two or three match-winning innings, and I am glad I managed to play one today.”