After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Sultans got rid of Zalmi openers Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal in just the 3rd over of the innings. A well constructed half century from Mohammed Hafeez steered Zalmi to 151 for 6 in the given 20 overs. West Indians Dwayne Smith and Darren Sammy contributed with twenties each. Irfan emerged as the pick of the bowlers for the Sultans, bagging a couple for 19 in 4 overs. In response, the Sultans lost Ahmed Shehzad early but Kumar Sangakkara got them off to a match winning start. Sangakkara made 57 in 51 deliveries with 3 fours and 2 sixes under his name.
