In the third game of the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2024 (PSL), former champions, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans locked horns. This was the second game of the doubleheader on the weekend. Meanwhile, in this game, the visitors, Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first. Saad Baig, who led the Pakistan U19 team to the semifinal of the U19 World Cup 2024, made his T20 debut.
The 2021 winners, Sultans had a poor start as their skipper Mohammad Rizwan was trapped lbw by Mir Hamza. At 17/1, England and South Africa internationals, Dawid Malan and Reeza Hendricks put together 121 runs for the second wicket. The former hit 52 off 41 balls including four fours and a six. On the other hand, the Protean scored 79 off 54 balls including seven fours and three sixes.
Apart from them, Khushdil Shah (28*) played a cameo and helped the team reach 185/2. For the 2020 winners, Daniel Sams and Hamza took a wicket each while the others disappointed.
Multan Sultans assert their dominance over Karachi Kings
Apart from a brief period, the Red Brigade, Kings were never in the chase. They had a poor start as they lost James Vince and Baig to former England international David Willey. At 10/2, skipper Shan Masood and Shoaib Malik put together 53 runs for the third wicket. The former struggled with the bat as he scored 31-ball 30. On the other hand, the two-time World Event winner for Pakistan, Malik scored 53 off 35 balls including five fours and two sixes.
However, after this partnership was broken, the team was never in the chase, and apart from Malik and Masood, only former West Indies international Kieron Pollard crossed the double-digit mark. The worst part was five batters scoring a duck in the chase. Sindh-based team ended up losing by 55 runs.
This is how Twitter reacted
New Captain, new management , new coach, but Karachi kings Old???.#PSL2024 #PSL9 #HBLPSL9 pic.twitter.com/he9QtDarLe
— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) February 18, 2024
Jab tak karachiite Rizwan ke against apne unreal hate ka (because of he replaced sarfaraz)
Aur Karachi kings ne jo zyadti ki hai uske sath
uske liye istemai mafi nhi maang lete tabtak karachi king ke halat nhi sudharne wale.#PSL2024#PSL9 #INDvsENG #YashasviJaiswal— Shadan (@imshadan16) February 18, 2024
Kuch nhi badla aj bhe?#PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/5dBJm73aXX
— Saadiew (@SaadiSays_) February 18, 2024
Bhai gaali mat Dena par
This PSL is not PSL-ing the way other PSLs PSL’ed#PSL2024— Talal Ahmad(QALANDERS?) (@notorious__98) February 18, 2024
Karachi Kings also lost his first match and now Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars fans ?#BabarAzam? #PSL9 #PSL2024 #LahoreQalandars #BabarAzam #PeshawarZalmi #KarachiKings #INDvsENG #YashasviJaiswal #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/XA41IO7mgs
— MUHAMMAD BILAL ? (@MBILAL_56) February 18, 2024
ES dafa karachi team bhut weak ha yea aj k matach sy sbit ho gia #PSL2024 #BabarAzam? #PSL9
— Ali Haider (@AliHaider66688) February 18, 2024
Asal mazay to ais bahluu ka hai ?#HBLPSL9 #PSL2024 #PSL9 pic.twitter.com/DDoWJBw9EK
— Sarfraz Gilchrist ?? (@SarfrazCT17) February 18, 2024
Bhai yeh dukh khatam hi Nahi hota?#PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/NaQC09RkhX
— Shaheer Imtiaz Awan (@ShaheerImtiazA1) February 18, 2024
Shurli, Murshid, chacha, match Winner, Chota DON
Babar hai ya bacho k Naam rakhny wali aunty?? #PSL2024
— saimi?/PSL 9??? (@Pakistanii_kuri) February 18, 2024
Mtlab @KarachiKingsARY @Salman_ARY is br b hm na hi smjhain ? sb teams sudhr gai mgr #karachiking 4 Saal se nhi badli ? bs pure PSL main sb teams ko 4 4 points dene ai hai ?#PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/QXjMTJ0Eqk
— Ashi sheikh10 (@Afridiizmylife) February 18, 2024