HBL PSL X: Rizwan’s ton in vain as Kings stun Sultans with thrilling chase

Mohammad Rizwan’s century went in vain as Karachi Kings pulled off a stunning chase, successfully overhauling Multan Sultans’ mammoth 235-run total with four balls to spare, powered by a record-breaking partnership between James Vince and Khushdil Shah.

Chasing a daunting total, the Kings made a blazing start as openers David Warner and Tim Seifert raced to 44 runs in just 20 balls. Just as the pair looked set, Michael Bracewell turned the tide with the ball, removing the dangerous Warner and halting the early momentum.

With the scoreboard reading 79 for 3, James Vince and youngster Arafat Minhas tried to stabilize the innings, but Usama Mir—last season’s leading wicket-taker—struck again, crashing through Minhas’ stumps to leave the Kings reeling at 79 for 4.

From there, Vince was joined by Khushdil Shah, and the duo turned the match on its head with a record 142-run partnership. Vince was in imperious form, smashing a 42-ball century, eventually falling for 101 off 43 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and four sixes, run out in a desperate attempt to keep him off strike.

Khushdil followed soon after, departing for a powerful 60 off 37 balls. With pressure mounting and the match in the balance, Abbas Afridi held his nerve, sealing the win with a six, as Karachi chased down the total with four balls to spare.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sultans made a brisk start as Rizwan and Shai Hope took the score to 55 in the first five overs. Hope, however, failed to settle and was dismissed for 8 off 7 balls by Hasan Ali in the final over of the powerplay.

Rizwan was then joined by Usman Khan, who had scored 430 runs in last year’s tournament as the pair pushed the total to 82 before Khan was undone by Tim Seifert for 19, after venturing out of his crease to left-arm spinner Khushdil Shah.

Rizwan reached his half-century and built a crucial 63-run partnership with Kamran Ghulam, who contributed 36 before falling to Abbas Afridi.

The Multan skipper then accelerated, bringing up his second PSL century off 61 balls and guiding his team beyond the 200 mark. He finished unbeaten on 105, striking nine fours and five sixes in a masterclass of controlled aggression.

Michael Bracewell provided the late fireworks, smashing 44 off just 17 balls. His explosive stand with Rizwan yielded 89 runs from the final 32 deliveries, propelling the Sultans to a formidable total of 234/3.

Multan Sultans XI: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Shahid Aziz, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Akif Javed

Karachi Kings XI: David Warner (c), James Vince, Shan Masood, Tim Seifert (wk), Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Adam Milne, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Ali, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi