With that commanding win from the Multan Sultans we see off double header Saturday with contrasting chases. The first one was more of a nail biter by the Peshawar Zalmi. The second one by the Multan Sultans was crafted rather easily.
We head into double header Sunday now. Quetta Gladiators take on Hyderabad Kingsmen at 3 PM IST and 2.30 PM Local Time. Lahore Qalandars then take on Karachi Kings in the evening fixture at 7.30 PM IST and 7 PM Local Time. Do tune to catch the live action.
On this note, I, Manan Mehta would like to take your leave on behalf of my colleagues Saptak Sanyal and Zeeshan Naiyer. Special mention goes to Mohammad Anab and Aman.
Ashton Turner (Multan Sultans Captain):"(A good start to the tournament?) Before the game I asked the side to play with confidence. This is an established side. We have some history but a lot of new faces in the side. You know it allows us to play with confidence. Now we have a win under our belt. T20 is a game of momentum and now we have that and hope we can continue with that.
(How are the youngsters of your team?) Actually there are a few quality contributions. Momin is exciting. He has some potential. There are a few guys who made the selection calls a tougher one. A few of them didn't get the opportunities but it is great to see the guys contributing.
(On the environment) PSL is a very exciting contribution to be a part of. We can feel the anticipation in the general public. All the team have the general support. But in particular we are feeling the support for Multan. It is a great tournament to be a part of."
Shadab Khan (Islamabad United Captain): "(On the score posted by them) I think we were about 15 to 20 runs short of a par score. But it’s the first game. We didn’t get the momentum that we needed. We lost wickets back-to-back, and I think Momin Qamar bowled really well. He was brave enough to bowl in those areas, so credit to him as well. I think a learning point for us is not to lose wickets in clusters.
(On not getting a big partnership) Definitely. If our top four get set, they need to go on and make it count, but they didn’t go long. I think that was the missing part. But still, it’s the first game and hopefully we’ll learn from this.
(On Multan Sultans batting) Experience mattered in the way they played. The conditions were not that easy, but the way they handled it, especially their running between the wickets, was outstanding. Even on good balls, they were taking singles and doubles, and then capitalising on the bad balls."
Momin Qamar (Player of the Match): "(Feelings) I am glad to get the support of the new team. It feels like a family. Head coach and Gohar bhai said me a day ago that I will be playing. Winning the game for your side is always a great feeling.
(On Shadab Khan's wicket delivery) It was a sudden plan. Googly was not my initial plan. But I saw him to move when I was in my delivery stride. I thought to bowl it away from him so that he can't hit big.
(On the team) It always feel that the senior guys are very familiar to the team. When we play together, we learn from each other."
Player of the Match: Momin Qamar
Catch of the Match: Steve Smith and Ashton Turner (For the relay catch of Faheem Ashraf)
Super Power of the Day: Ashton Turner (43*)
Energetic Batter of the Match: Arafat Minhas (25 off 11 balls)
Moment of the Match: Josh Philippe (For his debut fifty)