HBL PSL 5: Multan down Peshawar after thrilling finish

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Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi by three runs after a thrilling finish at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Chasing a target of 155 runs, Zalmi were restricted to 151/7 in their allotted 20 overs despite looking in control of the run chase for majority of the innings.

Imamul Haq top-scored with 56 runs off 41 balls, with the help of four fours and two sixes, but as soon as he departed Zalmi lost the plot and fell short of the target.

For Sultans, pacer Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/26 in his four overs. Meanwhile rookie pacer Ali Shafiq held his nerve in the final over, despite bowling two no-balls, to seal victory for his side.   

Batting first, Sultans posted 154-6 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy an impressive half-century from opener Zeeshan Ashraf. The left-hander scored 52 runs off 39 balls with the help of seven fours and one six.

Towards the backend of the innings Khushdil Shah played a cameo of 30 runs off 20 balls, including two sixes, to help his side post a competitive total on the board.

For Zalmi, pacer Rahat Ali was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/24 in four overs.  

Ashraf also bagged the award for player of the match for his crucial innings at the top of the order for Sultans.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced that all the remaining matches of HBL PSL season five will be played behind closed doors amid coronavirus concerns.

Following an advice from the Punjab Government, the PCB has decided the final-leg matches of the HBL PSL 2020 in Lahore will not be open for spectators.

As was the case for Karachi matches, the PCB has taken this step as a precaution and to better protect the health and safety of all those involved in the matches.

The PCB will continue to assess and monitor the situation and make decisions as appropriate in consultation with the team owners. No player has to date tested positive for Coronavirus.

The board has also rescheduled the remaining matches of the season by replacing the playoffs with semi-finals on March 17 and the final on March 18.

The decision means the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 will be reduced by four days and there will now be 33 matches as opposed to 34.

According to the revised schedule, the March 17 semi-finals will be double-headers and will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium with the table-toppers going head to head with the fourth-placed side at 2pm. This match will be followed by the second semi-final, which will begin at 7pm, between the second and third-placed sides.

The final will be played on March 18 and will start at 7pm. All these changes have been made with the consultation of the team owners.