Introduction: Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings
What a night! The clash between Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings had it all—big runs, nerve-racking moments, momentum swings, and a finish that left fans breathless. On a batting-friendly pitch, both teams turned the match into a festival of power-hitting, and it all came down to the final over. If there’s one thing this game proved, it’s that in modern T20 cricket, no total is safe.
Table of Contents
Multan Light It Up Early: Rizwan Leads From the Front
Multan Sultans batted first and immediately made their intentions clear. With the pitch offering little to the bowlers, it was an open invitation for the batters to go big—and boy, did they accept.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan was the anchor and the aggressor. He brought up a sensational 105 off just 63 balls*, playing the role of the sheet anchor while still maintaining an explosive strike rate of 166+. Every short ball was punished, every mistake capitalized.
His innings was supported by some quick contributions:
- Shai Hope chipped in with a fiery 18 off 7.
- Michael Bracewell added a late flourish with 44* off 25.
- Even the extras (22 in total!) helped push Multan to an intimidating 234/3 in 20 overs.
For context, David Warner later remarked: “We thought 200 was par on this pitch, but they still had wickets in hand. Could’ve been even more dangerous.”
Karachi’s Rocky Start—and Sudden Turnaround
Chasing 235 was always going to be tough, and Karachi Kings didn’t exactly get off to a dream start.
They were reeling at 52/3, and then 79/4—a total collapse seemed imminent. But then came the twist. James Vince and Khushdil Shah turned the game on its head.
Match-Winning Partnership:
- Vince was absolutely on fire, hitting 101 off just 43 balls*. His stroke play was clean, calculated, and deadly.
- Khushdil supported him brilliantly with 60 off 37, keeping the scoreboard ticking and punishing the loose deliveries.
Together, they stitched a 142-run stand for the 5th wicket, flipping the momentum in dramatic fashion.
Despite both falling near the end, Abbas Afridi stepped up, smashing a six off the final ball to seal a thrilling 4-wicket win in 19.2 overs.
Player Reactions: Post-Match Voices
David Warner (Karachi Kings Captain):
“Even with early wickets, we just had to keep going. With the dew coming in, batting was always going to get easier. Still a lot of work ahead in our bowling unit.”
James Vince (Player of the Match):
“It was a tough chase, no doubt. But luckily, when we needed boundaries, we got them. Credit to Khushdil—his innings made my job easier.”
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans Captain):
“The ball got wet, and that made our job harder in the field. Our execution wasn’t great—we let them build too many big partnerships.”
Final Over Drama: Ball by Ball
The tension was thick in the air as the final over began. Karachi still needed runs, and every ball mattered.
| Ball | Bowler | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | Chris Jordan | Dot ball |
| 19.2 | Akif Javed | WICKET – Khushdil bowled |
| 19.3 | Abbas Afridi | 2 runs |
| 19.4 | Abbas Afridi | 1 run |
| 19.5 | Abbas Afridi | 2 runs |
| 19.6 | Abbas Afridi | SIX! Game over, Karachi win |
That final six wasn’t just a shot—it was a statement. Abbas Afridi showed nerves of steel and finished what Vince and Khushdil had started.
Full Match Scorecard
Multan Sultans Innings – 234/3 (20 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan (c) | 105* | 63 | 6 | 9 | 166.67 | Not out |
| Shai Hope | 18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 257.14 | b Hasan Ali |
| Usman Khan | 19 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 126.67 | b Khushdil Shah |
| Kamran Ghulam | 36 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 189.47 | c Irfan Khan b Abbas Afridi |
| Michael Bracewell | 44* | 25 | 3 | 2 | 258.82 | Not out |
| Extras | 22 | — | — | — | — | 20 wides, 1 no-ball |
Fall of wickets: 55–1, 82–2, 145–3
Karachi Kings Innings – 236/6 (19.2 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert (wk) | 32 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 200.00 | c Rizwan b Akif Javed |
| David Warner (c) | 12 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 200.00 | lbw b Bracewell |
| James Vince | 101* | 43 | 14 | 3 | 234.88 | Not out |
| Shan Masood | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | lbw b Akif Javed |
| Arafat Minhas | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 142.86 | b Usama Mir |
| Khushdil Shah | 60 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 162.16 | b Akif Javed |
| Irfan Khan | 5* | 3 | 0 | 1 | 166.67 | Not out |
| Abbas Afridi | 9* | 4 | 0 | 2 | 225.00 | Not out |
| Extras | 7 | — | — | — | — | 5 wides, 1 no-ball |
Fall of wickets: 44–1, 52–2, 52–3, 79–4, 221–5, 223–6
Tactical Takeaways & Game-Changing Moments
Rizwan’s Century Deserved More
Multan did everything right with the bat. Rizwan’s hundred was textbook captaincy from the front. But even a huge total like 234 wasn’t enough, exposing serious issues in their bowling at the death.
Vince and Khushdil’s Heroics
Just when it looked like Karachi was done, Vince and Khushdil turned up the heat. Their fearless strokeplay turned the match around and set the stage for a sensational finish.
Dew Factor Hurt Multan
Rizwan mentioned it post-match—the ball got wet, making it hard for bowlers to grip and fielders to hold on. It cost them dearly in the second half.
Abbas Afridi: Ice in the Veins
The game could have slipped away easily. But Afridi’s composure in the final over showed how lower-order contributions can make or break a game.
What’s Next?
This win gives Karachi Kings a great early boost. They’ve shown they can bounce back from pressure and win tough games. The Multan Sultans, meanwhile, will need to regroup, especially their bowling unit and late-game plans.
Final Word
If you’re a T20 fan, this match had everything you live for—huge scores, heroic chases, and a last-ball finish. The Multan vs Karachi clash wasn’t just a game—it was a reminder that in cricket, every ball counts.
