Dubai: Sohaib Maqsood, who cracked an unbeaten 86, the highest score in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League, to ensure Multan Sultans a 19-runs win over Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday night at the Dubai International Stadium, owes his brilliant knock to the inspiration from two veteran teammates — Kumar Sangakkara and his team skipper Shoaib Malek.

Maqsood showed how destructive he can be as a batsman through his 42 ball knock which contained seven sixes and four boundaries. “I am happy I got some runs as I hadn’t performed in the last two matches. I give the credit for this knock to Shoaib bhai (brother) and Sangakkara. Normally when I do not perform in the first two matches the pressure mounts on me but these two eased the pressure on me through their tips.”

Malek and Sangakkara induced confidence in me during the net practice. “Shoaib told me not to worry and trust on my abilities and Sangakkara guided me throughout the net practice. He gave me a game plan and I applied it well,” said Maqsood.

Thirty-year-old Maqsood was born in Multan, the same city of Pakistan’s legendry batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq. During his early days, he was talked about as the next Inzamam and became only the fifth Pakistan batsman to score fifties in his first two One Day International innings.

After his match winning knock that won him the man of the match award, he was asked why he has not been able to rise to his full talent and become a regular member of the Pakistan national team. Maqsood had last played his a One-day international match in January 2016. Maqsood candidly said: “It is also my mistake. I did not perform consistently and also I succumbed to injuries like wrist, angle and back injuries. Also I did not utilise the opportunities I got in one dayers. So I am hoping to do well in PSL and get back to the Pakistan team.”

Maqsood in form can be dangerous for all opponents as he is a powerful hitter of the ball. “Scoring here is important. Whatever cricket I play, be it PSL or domestic, I try my best. In domestic I am the high ranked player and I am determined to do well and be the high ranked player in PSL too,” he said.

Brief scores:

Multan Sultans bt Peshawar Zalmi by 19 runs. Multan 183 for 3 in 20 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 28, Ahmad Shehzad 37, Sohaib Maqsood 85n.o) Peshawar 164 for 8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 56, Riki Wessels 22, Liam Dawson 32, Mohammad Irfan 2 for 32, Sohail Tanvir 3 for 14, Kieron Pollard 3 for 37) Man of the match: Sohaib Maqsood.