Splendid Usman ton leads Multan Sultans into playoffs
The No. 3 batter struck the fastest PSL 2024 century and deflated Kings in the first innings
Associated Press
04-Mar-2024
Usman Khan slammed a century for Multan Sultans • AFP/Getty Images
Multan Sultans 189 for 3 (Usman 106*, Rizwan 58, Muzarabani 2-32) beat Karach Kings 169 for 7 (Malik 38, Mir 2-29) by 20 runs
Usman Khan hit the fastest century so far in this season's Pakistan Super League to lead Multan Sultans into the playoffs with a 20-run win over Karachi Kings on Sunday.
The Sultans continued their dominant run, securing its sixth win in seven games. They top the standings with 12 points, while fifth-place Karachi has just two wins from six games.
Pakistan-born Usman, who now plays for the United Arab Emirates, smashed 106 not out off 58 balls after reaching his ton in 56 deliveries. Captain Mohammad Rizwan contributed 58 in Multan's imposing 189 for 3 after choosing to bat first.
The Kings never looked a threat before reaching 169 for 7 in 20 overs and losing their third straight home game. Skipper Shan Masood got clean bowled for 36 off 29 balls by the tournament's leading wicket-taker Usama Mir (2-29). Legspinner Mir stretched his wickets tally to 15. Fast bowler Mohammad Ali, who took 1 for 40, has 14.
Usman and Rizwan exploited some wayward Kings bowling, sharing a second-wicket stand of 148 off 93 balls. Rizwan was caught at mid-off soon after completing his half-century before Usman reached his ton with a pulled six against Mir Hamza in the last over.
The Kings' overseas signings Tim Seifert (1) and James Vince (7) fell inside the batting powerplay.
Shoaib Malik top-scored for his team with 38 before holing out at long off in the 12th over and the Kings had plenty of soft dismissals in the run-chase.