Dubai February 22: Stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Shoaib Malik led from the front as newcomers Multan Sultans made a grand start to their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 campaign with a seven wicket win against defending champions Peshawar Zalmi.

Set a target of 152, the Sultans were well served by their senior duo Sangakkara and Malik after the early loss of Ahmed Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood.

Sangakkara scored 57 before being dismssed by Wahab Riaz, Malik ensured that the chase was completed with his 42 run innings.

The captain of the Sultans who won the toss and opted to field first was unbeaten when the match finished in 19.1 overs with a win for Multans, Malik  was joined by Kieron Pollard as the game was decided in Multan’s favour.

The Friday games of the HBL PSL include a match between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators while in the second game of the day the Sultans’ take on Lahore Qalandars.

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez’s half-century and an 11 ball 29 run cameo by Daren Sammy spurred Zalmi to a 151 run total.

The start for the Peshawar side was a disastrous one as the highest run getter of the last HBL PSL season Kamran Akmal perished for a duck; the right-hander was dismissed by Mohammad Irfan.

Irfan also sent Tamim Iqbal packing for 11; the left-hander was brilliantly caught by Junaid Khan at the fine leg boundary.

Dwayne Smith scored 24 off 23 balls he was dismissed by Imran Tahir; Haris Sohail scored 14 off 15 balls.

Zalmi were struggling to get momentum in their innings and it was only an enterprising innings by Sammy that propelled them past the 150 mark, the captain hit three sixes and two fours in his short stay at the wicket.

Mohammad Irfan took two wickets while Sohail Tanvir, Junaid Khan, Imran Tahir and Hardus Viljoen claimed a wicket each.