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Pakistan Super League has returned and the country is going berserk over the hype. After a glitzy opening ceremony in Dubai, the first match of the 2018 edition of the tournament was played between newcomers Multan Sultans and former champions Peshawar Zalmi.
What social media called the ‘toughest side to beat on paper’, Multan Sultans, lived up to the expectations. Right from the start, they had Peshawar Zalmi on the back foot as Muhammad Irfan was able to take two early wickets for the debutantes. Good bowling from South Africa’s new bowler Viljoen also helped restrict the total.
The pick of the batsmen for Peshawar was Muhammad Hafeez, who managed to score 59 runs from 52 balls, bringing Peshawar’s total to 151/6 in 20 overs. Multan Sultans came out to bat with full confidence, as the man in charge, veteran Kumar Sangakkara opened the batting with Ahmed Shehzad. Sadly, nothing had changed for Ahmed Shehzad as he maintained his record and popped another duck, his wicket taken by Wahab Riaz.
After Shehzad’s wicket, Sangakkara eased in with Sohaib Maqsood as both contributed to bring the score to a point where the target was reachable. After Maqsood was sent back to the pavilion by Asghar, Sultans’ captain Shoaib Malik entered the field and played a remarkable knock of 42 runs off 30 balls.
Sangakkara lost his wicket to Wahab Riaz after making 57 runs off 51 balls, a great knock which helped his team remain in a comfortable position. Master blaster KA Pollard replaced him and helped Malik to easily reach the target, scoring 152/3 in 19.1 overs. Sultans’ Kumar Sangakkara was given the Man of the Match prize for his brilliant knock.
This is how the Twitterverse reacted to PSL’s opening game
I’m from Delhi, India and I must say Psl is better than Ipl.❤ #PSL2018
— PSL 3 (@Cricket_is_Baee) February 22, 2018
So the Gora Commentator is totally “ Molten Solten”ing the Multan Sultans. #PSL2018
— Maria Memon (@Maria_Memon) February 22, 2018
To all those who are trolling Ibtisam Sheikh young kid. He is just 19 and playing in one of the best T20 league at the moment and you weren’t able to find admission in a good university and ended on getting admission in Preston Uni.#PSL2018
— Omer Choudhary (@Omerchoudhary2) February 22, 2018
Oh, please. India aur Pakistan itni buri cricket nahi kheltey. https://t.co/D0vjl5PEWT
— SIR .. (@SirJohnRoe) February 22, 2018
They got the cheapest Kapoor on the market
— Umair Javed (@umairjav) February 22, 2018
The entire match summary for Multan Sultans in a single frame#HBLPSL3 #PSL2018 pic.twitter.com/MkYTX5iy5v
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 22, 2018
Many questioned the picks by Multan Sultans, but never doubt a team with Shoaib Malik as skipper, Kumar Sangakkara in the line-up & with Tom Moody and Wasim Akram on the coaching staff #PSL2018 #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 22, 2018
