Why did Multan Sultan suffer another defeat despite scoring more runs?

Why did Multan Sultan suffer another defeat despite scoring more runs?

Multan Sultans had to defend 20 runs in the last 2 overs in their first match against Islamabad United on Sunday.

But in the 19th over, Multan lost the match due to a six and three fours and the same story was repeated on Tuesday.


When Peshawar Zalmi needed 21 runs to win against Multan and 3 sixes in the 19th over defeated Multan once again.


This was Multan's second consecutive defeat in the current season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) and if the last three matches of last season are combined, and then the series of defeats of Sultans has been extended to 5 matches.


What is the problem with the Multan Sultans?


Regarding the match against Islamabad United, it can be said that the target of 151 runs was not so big that it could be easily defended but against Zalmi, Multan scored 193 runs? Then what happened?


The first reason is the excellent performance of the Peshawar batsmen, who maintained a competitive atmosphere from the beginning. Kamran Akmal played a good innings of 37 off 24 balls despite eating young Shahnawaz Dhani's stormy ball on the helmet.


Then Imam-ul-Haq continued to advance towards the target by scoring 48 runs off 39 balls. Later, Sharfin Rutherford (15 off just 6 balls) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (53 off 32 balls) put the innings in the next gear and Haider Ali made the final and decisive strike.


In other words, the condition of Multan bowlers in this match was very bad. See for yourself that strike bowler Sohail Tanveer scored 40 runs in just 3 overs, Carlos Braithwaite scored 41 runs in 4 overs, Shahid Afridi 38 and all three did not get a wicket.


Young Shahnawaz Dhani bowled very well before his last over, had taken 2 wickets for just 20 runs in 3 overs, but could not withstand the pressure of the 19th over. Usman Qadir took one wicket for 29 runs and somewhat escaped Zalmai's war.


In other words, we can say that while the reason for Multan's defeat was the excellent performance of the Peshawar batsmen, the bowlers also had a hand in it that could not even defend the target of 194 runs.


Undoubtedly, Multan has the best batting line at the moment. The 'man in form' is Mohammad Rizwan who also scored 41 off 28 balls in this match. Chris Lane. Those who have not been able to show their true colors yet but have come to Pakistan from the Big Bash League with a good form and after failing in 2 matches now they have a good innings loan, which they will pay in any match.


Then there is James Vince of England who has come in with the best form since the Big Bash and in this match he played a brilliant innings of 84 off 55 balls, which would have been the 'Man of the Match Performance' if Tom Kohler of Peshawar had been the man of the match. Don't play the innings. Then Sohaib Maqsood appeared in Tarang after a long time, and scored 36 runs off just 21 balls and thus Multan put up a very good score.


But in the end all these runs proved to be insufficient as there were some 'turning points' in the match which later proved to be decisive. Like the last over of Multan's innings. In the 19th over, James Vince got out after hitting Saqib Mahmood with a six and a four. It was hoped that it would be very difficult for young Muhammad Imran to stop Riley Russo and Khushdal Shah in the last over but Imran bowled a brilliant over. He gave only 7 runs on the last 6 balls and with an increase of only 9 runs on the last 9 balls, Multan's innings was limited to 193 runs.

 

For a moment, Multan could easily cross the 200 mark, but it did not happen. Thus, the psychological pressure on the opponent of the target of more than 200 runs could not put Multan. The role played by Haider Ali in those moments of Peshawar Zalmi's innings could not be played by Khushdal Shah of Sultans. Peshawar scored 31 off the last 10 balls while Multan scored only 13 and this was the difference between victory and defeat in the end.

 

Then Multan also missed a few 'half chances', like Carlos Braithwaite showed a slight delay on the long on and Imam-ul-Haq's catch was lost. Not a single run-out opportunity was taken advantage of, after which Tom Kohler played the decisive innings.

 

It would be an exaggeration not to mention Muhammad Imran, a young man from Peshawar Zalmai. In such a high scoring match, he took 1 wicket by giving only 24 runs in his 4 overs. He also included the last over in which he gave only 7 runs. How great was this bowling? This can be gauged from the fact that Wahab Riaz of Peshawar scored 51 runs in 4 overs, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman 40 and Mohammad Irfan 41 runs.

 

Multan's batting line is undoubtedly alive, and this can be seen from the two matches played so far, but the bowling problem is serious. The key bowlers are out of form like Sohail Tanveer. Therefore, for the next matches, Multan will have to make very tough decisions and think carefully. But throwing just one over should not discourage Shahnawaz Dhani as it is usually the case that defeat falls on the weak.

 

However, with this first victory, Peshawar Zalmai has finally come to the points table where Lahore Qalandars currently rule. The Multan Sultans now have to face the Lahore Qalandars in the All Punjab Derby on February 26, which has been winning all the matches, while Peshawar Zalmi will face the traditional rivals Quetta Gladiators on the same day, after two defeats. It's like a wounded lion.