DUBAI: A sublime knock from Kumar Sangakkara helped Multan Sultans mark their HBL Pakistan Super League debut on a memorable note as the new franchise upstaged holders Peshawar Zalmi by seven wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday night.

Multan nonchalantly cruised home by seven wickets, with Sangakkara leading the 152-run chase. The retired Sri Lankan legend compiled 57 off 51 balls (three fours and two sixes) before skipper Shoaib Malik ended the third edition’s opening game in style by depositing Hammad Azam into the stands.

Multan lost Ahmed Shehzad in the second over for a duck, but recovered through Sangakkara and Sohaib Maqsood (21 off 16) in a second-wicket stand of 47 before Malik, who scored a 30-ball 42 (two sixes, two fours) and Kieron Pollard (21 off 13, four boundaries) added 46 in 26 deliveries to complete a deserved win.

Earlier, Peshawar could only get 151-6 after being sent in. Mohammad Hafeez (59 off 52 balls, six fours, one six) and captain Darren Sammy (29 off 11, three sixes and one four) were their main run-getters. Mohammad Irfan was the standout bowler for Multan with 2-19.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2018