Farhan adds to Hyderabad’s miseries as Multan pulls off a massive chase

It was yet another regretful outing for the newly added HBL PSL franchise Hyderabad Kingsmen as they suffered their third successive defeat of their debut season with Multan Sultans chasing down a daunting 226-run target at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday night.

And it was all because of one man: Sahibzada Farhan, who smoked a cracking 106 not out in just 57 deliveries, comprising seven fours and eight maximums as Sultans romped to victory in 18.4 overs, winning their second successive game of the ongoing competition.

From the onset of the huge run chase, it seemed Farhan’s willow was on fire, as the right-hander sent every delivery racing to the boundary with fearless authority.

In the powerplay, the Sultans had galloped 83 runs without any wickets, as both Farhan and Steve Smith played every shot to perfection.

Both of them stitched a 104-run opening partnership before Smith was dismissed for 46 off just 20 balls by spinner Hassan Khan.

However, Josh Phillipe was also removed 16 runs later, after which Shan Masood partnered with Farhan, displaying blazing stroke play. Shan scored 29 off 16 balls with two fours and two sixes, while Arafat Minhas scored a fiery 26 not out from just 11 balls.

Meanwhile, Farhan managed to bring up his second PSL century on the first ball of the 19th over with a straight drive as his arms fisted up in triumphant celebration as he sealed the deal with a maximum.

For the Kingsmen, Saim was the pick of the bowlers, taking scalps for 43 runs in four overs, while Maheesh Theekshana and Hassan Khan could pick up one apiece.

Maaz, Sharjeel’s batting blitz

The Kingsmen started their batting in grand fashion. Openers Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat adopted the aggressive gear against the Sultans’ bowlers from the onset.

They posted a massive 225-run total on the back of Maaz Sadaqat and Sharjeel Khan's blazing half-centuries, 62 and 51 respectively.

Saim Ayub kicked off the proceedings in blazing fashion, contributing 27 off 20 balls, while Irfan Niazi made a crucial contribution at the back end, lacing 23 off 13 deliveries.

Meanwhile, the openers gave their team a spirited start, putting together 59 runs in five overs until the former was caught and bowled by Peter Siddle in an inning comprising three fours and a six.

Maaz, who scored a 19-ball fifty, got dismissed in the 10th over for 62 runs off 26 balls with five fours and five sixes.

Usman followed suit 10 balls later with Hyderabad’s score at 127 for the loss of four wickets in 11.2 overs.

Following the flurry of wickets, experienced Sharjeel took the charge, smashing a remarkable 51 off 26 deliveries with the help of four sixes and three fours.

For the Sultans, Mohammad Wasim Jr was the standout bowler for the Sultans, taking two wickets for 37 runs in his four overs, while Nawaz, Siddle and captain Ashton Turner made one scalp apiece.