Peshawar runs down Quetta, Multan posts first win in PSL

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Peshawar Zalmi achieved another record run chase in beating Quetta Gladiators by three wickets to continue the batsmen's domination of bowlers in the Pakistan Super League on Friday.

Multan Sultans earlier registered their first win when they beat Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets. All of the eight round-robin matches so far have been won by the teams batting second.

Peshawar chased down a record 194-run target to beat Multan in its second game and bettered that in reaching 202-7 in 19.3 overs against Quetta.

Quetta, which has lost all three tosses and batted first, achieved the league's highest total of 198-7 on the back of captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s blistering 81 off 40 balls.

But even with South Africa’s experienced Dale Steyn (2-44) and Faf du Plessis (37), they couldn’t change Quetta's fortunes as they lost a third consecutive game and are without a point.

Peshawar was served by Haider Ali, 50 off 29 balls, Sherfane Rutherford, 36 not out off 18 balls, and captain Wahab Riaz, 20 off 8 balls. Wahab slammed three sixes against Steyn in the 19th over which went for 21.

Earlier, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan impressed again in Multan's first win.

Rizwan hit 76 off 49 balls -- his second half-century in this league -- and Pakistan international Sohaib Maqsood made an unbeaten 61 off 41. Multan eased to 159-3 in 16.2 overs in reply to Lahore’s 157-6.

Rizwan and Maqsood shared 110 runs for the third wicket off 65 balls as Lahore badly missed Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan, who left for national duty after featuring in his team’s opening two victories.

The only Lahore batsman to flourish was Mohammad Hafeez, who followed unbeaten knocks of 73 and 33 against Quetta and Peshawar with 60 off 35 balls, including five sixes and three boundaries.

West Indies fast bowler Carlos Brathwaite picked up 2-20 and also a maiden over.

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