LAHORE, Pakistan, CMC – Kieron Pollard’s all-around efforts were unsuccessful as Multan Sultans missed a chance to close the gap on Lahore Qalanders when they slumped to a 21-run defeat at the hands of the leaders in the Pakistan Super League here Saturday.
In pursuit of 181 at Gaddafi Stadium, Sultans were restricted to 159 for seven off their 20 overs – their third loss in seven matches to remain second on eight points and four adrift of Qalanders.
Pollard, the former West Indies white-ball captain who quit international cricket last year, top-scored with 39 from 28 deliveries but lacked support as captain Mohammad Rizwan was the only other batsman to flourish with 30 from 27 balls.
Pollard had snared two for 16 from two overs of slow medium earlier as Qalanders rattled up a challenging 180 for nine from their 20 overs after choosing to bat first.
He was one of four bowlers with two-wicket hauls, but Englishman Sam Billings countered with a score of 54 from 35 deliveries, while Abdullah Shafique struck 48 from 35 balls.
Fakhar Zaman fell to the third ball of the innings without a run on the board before Shafique led the rebuild, posting 50 for the second wicket with Mirza Baig (17) and a further 69 for the third wicket with Billings.
Shafique struck half-dozen fours and a six, while Billings counted half-dozen fours and two sixes before Pollard removed them both in separate overs.
In reply, Rizwan belted two fours and a six to inspire a 48-run stand with Shan Masood (19) for the first wicket before things fell apart, Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan slicing through the innings with three for 15 from his four overs.
Tottering on 106 for six in the 16th over, Pollard revived Sultans, the 35-year-old blasting two fours and three sixes in a last-ditch 49-run, seventh-wicket partnership with Anwar Ali (17 not out) before perishing off the penultimate delivery of the contest.
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