Debutants Sultans off to winning start in PSL III
dubai — Recently Bangladesh urged their former skipper Mashrafe Mortaza to make a comeback into the national T20 squad saying they would welcome the 34-year-old if he decided to come out of retirement.
On Thursday night the way former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara constructed his innings for debutants Multan Sultans against Peshawar Zalmi in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League, it raises questions whether this 40-yearold hung up his gloves a little too early from international cricket.
Of course at that age Sangakkara is highly unlikely to make a comeback to the national team but the graceful left-hander showed glimpses of his old touch during his innings of 57 from 51 balls (3x4, 2x6) in taking the Sultans past the defending champions by seven wickets in the opening match of the series. Speaking to the media after the match, the wicket-keeper batsman said: “I have changed my stance and my initial movement in order to give myself that extra time. T20 is a format where you express yourself. I’m still enjoying it. It’s a great format to play in.”
Sangakkara credited Shoaib Malik for his great captaincy. “I think Shoaib was just outstanding and he did the job for us. Hopefully we’ll get better as the tournament progresses.” Shoaib was not only good in his field placings and bowling changes but when it came to his batting the old warhorse showed his youngsters how to finish the job.
With six runs needed from the last six balls, he smacked Hammad Azam over the ropes to remain unconquered on 42 from 30 balls with two sixes and two fours.
Kieron Pollard gave him company with an unbeaten 21 from 13 balls after hitting four fours.
Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez struck the first half century of the third edition and captain Darren Sammy brought the spectators on their feet with some power hitting to take Peshawar Zalmi to 151 for 6 after being put in.
It proved a good move as last year’s PSL’s highest scorer Kamran Akmal lasted barely four balls and without opening his account skied one to Hardus Viljoen of Mohammad Irfan’s bowling.
Irfan was impressive with his four overs which went for only 19 runs and he bagged two wickets.
Junaid Khan and Sohail Tanvir together went for 36 runs in the 18th and 19th overs from the blades of Mohammed Hafeez and Darren Sammy, but in the end a total of 151 looked small.