Kingsmen smash 225 set huge target Sultans

LAHORE: (Web Desk) – At Gaddafi Stadium, Hyderabad Kingsmen delivered a dominant batting display to post an imposing total of 225/5 against Multan Sultans during the eighth match of Pakistan Super League Season 11 on Wednesday.

After choosing to bat first, captain Marnus Labuschagne saw his decision justified as his team came out aggressively from the start. Openers Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat provided early momentum, putting together a rapid 59-run partnership in just five overs. Ayub scored 27 off 20 balls before being dismissed by Peter Siddle.

Sadaqat carried on with an attacking approach, building useful stands with Labuschagne and Usman Khan. His explosive innings came to an end in the 10th over when Mohammad Nawaz dismissed him. The young batter was the standout performer, smashing 62 runs off only 26 balls, including five boundaries and five sixes.

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The Kingsmen briefly lost momentum when Usman Khan fell after a quick cameo, leaving the score at 127/4 in 11.2 overs, with Mohammad Wasim Jr taking the wicket. However, Sharjeel Khan anchored the innings in the latter stages, remaining unbeaten on 51 from 26 deliveries. He received valuable support from Syed Saad Ali, who scored 23, and Muhammad Irfan Khan, who added an unbeaten 22, helping the total surge beyond 220.

Among the bowlers, Wasim Jr stood out for Multan Sultans with two wickets for 37 runs, while Nawaz, Siddle, and skipper Ashton Turner managed one wicket each.

In response, Multan Sultans now face a difficult chase of 226 runs on a batting-friendly pitch, with the Kingsmen carrying strong momentum into the second innings.