The Multan Sultans were full of confidence and pride and wanted to prove a point, in front of a lively Multan sky and a slightly raucous crowd. The Sultans were in good shape and looking respectable in their kits, and they were about to give a good account of themselves, especially after Yasir Khan had created a tentative slice of joy by going boundary hunting in the first over or two. The evolution from the Multan dressing room’s hopeful eyebrows raised to their hopeless faces during the Sultans’ innings was completed in quick time. From 20/1 to ultimately left with 108 all out, their innings went down like the tent in the desert going up.
A Batting Collapse of Epic Proportions
The first and most prominent scar was an extraordinary batting collapse that unfolded with surgical ruthlessness. This was not just a couple of cheap wickets; this was a systematic catastrophe. From 60/2 in the 9th over to 108 all out in the 19.1, Multan managed to lose eight wickets for the ill-fated total of 48 runs.
The middle order resisted less than a wet paper bag. Mahendra was woefully bamboozled by Maaz Sadaqat for a duck, then came the high rise for a skyward tumble for Muhammad Amir Barki and Shahid Aziz; they could barely get their feet moving before being sent on their way. The size of the dagger wound came when Shai Hope’s only semblance of resistance, when redefined in his fifteen realms, was undone with a sliced skier back towards bowler Joseph.
Ahmed Daniyal’s Game-Winning Spell
But it wasn’t so much the collapse that was fatal, but rather Ahmed Daniyal, the breakout star of the night for Zalmi, executing ball and brilliance. He didn’t just take wickets—he changed the entire tone of the match. The figures of 3/17 from 4 overs were devilishly economical and perfectly timed. The first was him snuffing out Tayyab Tahir as the Sultans looked to shift momentum.
The next blows were delivered late in the innings, with David Willey being bowled, and then the most spectacular caught and bowled off Ubaid Shah. And if that wasn’t enough, Daniyal also took three critical catches, exhibiting his sharp reflexes and match awareness. It was the kind of all-round Player of the Match effort that not only lifts a team but also deflates the other. Every time the Multan team tried to punch back, Daniyal had the counter.
No Backup Plan, No Adaptability
In the end, Multan just could not cope and had too many top-order players, who, when they are off, become outhouse rats very quickly. In Multan’s case, there was not even a plan ‘B.’ No ‘Counterattack.’ No pinch-hitter or finisher to absorb pressure and then counter-attack. Even their bowling had no pace. Apart from Shahid Aziz’s brilliant double (including the big wicket of Babar Azam), the rest of the attack was pretty toothless, especially Ubaid Shah, who was horrid; it was like driving on a highway with unlimited speed limits and leaking 43 runs in 3 overs.
No one from Multan adjusted the length for that pitch, nor did any of their bowlers put any pressure on Zalmi’s batters, allowing Max Bryant to tee off without any trouble at all! By the time Zalm left score of 70/3, from there it was merely a formality. At times, one argued that Multan looked more like spectators than challengers.
What could have been a close fight ended up being a mismatch as Peshawar Zalmi easily beat Multan Sultans. It was a half-hearted batting effort, a Daniyal masterclass, and a failure of Multan to adjust that gave the Peshawar Zalmi a gift-wrapped win. The playoffs are less than a week away, and the Sultans need to do a lot more than just regroup – they need to reinvent themselves or face the possibility of being blown out of the tournament like dust in the Multan wind.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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