After Ihsanullah bowling brilliance, Multan Sultans were stunning with the bat as they thrashed Quetta Gladiators in a one-sided affair.

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men were out played by the home side in all departments of the game, as they suffered a nine wicket defeat in match three at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

It was Ihsanullah’s night with the bowl, who ended up with a career-best figures of 5-12 including a maiden over to rattle a strong Gladiators’ batting lineup.

In reply to 111-run target, South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw was lethal with the bat, as he hammered unbeaten 78 off 42 deliveries by hitting nine boundaries and three maximums.

Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan was a mere spectator at the non-striker’s end, scoring 34-ball 28 not out.

The former Gladiator men finished the game in style by hitting Mohammad Nawaz for two maximums on successive deliveries.

The only success the visitors got in the game was through Nuwan Thushara, who got the wicket of Shan Masood (3).

Sultans reached the target in 13.3 overs with nine wickets in hand.

Earlier, Ihsanullah claims a five-wicket haul as Multan Sultans bowled Quetta Gladiators out for 110 after winning the toss.

He was well supported by pacers, Abass Afridi and Sameen Gul, who claimed two wickets each from the home side.

Gladiators were never in control of the game. They suffered the first blow in the shape of Martin Guptill’s wicket in the second over. Afridi joined the party with the wicket of emerging batter Abdul Bangalzai (1). After that, it was all Ihsanullah’s show.

First, he bowled Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (2), then removed Jason Roy (27) and Iftikhar Ahmed (golden duck) on successive deliveries. At that stage, Gladiators were reduced to 46/5.

Mohammad Nawaz and Umar Akmal tried to stable the 2019 champions’ innings but were stopped in their tracks by Usama Mir. He removed Nawaz (14).

Akmal (11) was the fourth victim of Ihsanullah, who completed the fifer by castling Naseem Shah (1).

Mohammad Hasain played a good hand of 22. He was well supported by all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who departed after scoring 18.

They were bowled out to below-par total of 110 in 18.5 overs.

Sultans were forced to make a change in their XI after Shahnawaz Dahani fractured his index finger and was ruled out from the tournament. He was replaced by Abbas Afridi.

Moreover, Rilee Rossouw was also back in the side in place of Usman Khan.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Gladiators, who were playing their first game, are optimistic to start the tournament on a winning note.

Playing XIs:

Multan Sultans

Quetta Gladiators