DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies star Kieron Pollard produced a cameo as Multan Sultans raised the curtain on the latest edition of the Pakistan Super League with a seven-wicket victory over Darren Sammy’s Peshawar Zalmi here Thursday.
Chasing 152 for victory at the Dubai International Stadium, Sultans reached their target with five balls remaining with Sri Lankan star Kumar Sangakkara top-scoring with 57 at the top of the order.
Pakistan stroke-maker Shoaib Malik chimed in with an unbeaten 42 while Pollard blasted 21 not out from 13 balls.
Ahmed Shehzad fell in the second over without scoring with seven runs on the board but the left-handed Sangakkara put on 47 for the second wicket with Sohaib Maqsood (21) and a further 52 for the third wicket with Shoaib, to put Multans in command.
Sangakkara faced 51 balls and struck three fours and a six while Shoaib notched a pair of fours and sixes in a 30-ball knock.
Pollard arrived in the 15th over to lash four boundaries in a match-winning, unbroken 46-run fifth wicket stand with Shoaib.
Earlier, Mohammed Hafeez slammed 59 from 52 balls as Zalmi marched to 151 for six off their 20 overs, after they were sent in.
Sammy struck a whirlwind 29 from 11 deliveries, with two fours and three sixes, while former Barbados and West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith got 24 from 23 balls.
