Yasir Khan's blistering knock and Ubaid Shah's three-wicket haul guided Multan Sultans to a 33-run victory over Lahore Qalandars in the HBL Pakistan Super League on Tuesday. This win marked the Sultans’ first of the season.
Set a daunting target of 229, the Qalandars got off to a promising start with Fakhar Zaman smashing a quick-fire 32 off just 14 balls. Zaman’s blistering innings, which included 2 fours and 3 sixes, set the tone for a strong chase. However, the Qalandars’ momentum was short-lived as key wickets fell rapidly.
Mohammad Naeem's struggles continued, as he was dismissed for just 11 off 11 balls, caught by Iftikhar Ahmed off Michael Bracewell. Zaman’s departure in the sixth over left the Qalandars at 49/2, and Abdullah Shafique also failed to capitalize, falling for 18 off 15 balls, caught behind off Bracewell.
With the middle order crumbling, Daryl Mitchell (19 off 14 balls) and Rishad Hossain (2 off 4 balls) were dismissed, leaving the Qalandars reeling at 111/5.
Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza then combined for a vital partnership. Billings’ 43 off 23 balls, which included 2 fours and 4 sixes, kept the chase alive. Raza, who remained not out on 50 off 27 balls, played a crucial supporting role, and together, they added 63 runs. However, their efforts were not enough as the lower order collapsed.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s early departure for just 2 runs, followed by Asif Afridi’s dismissal for 4, sealed the Qalandars’ fate. The Qalandars finished their 20 overs at 195/9, falling short of the target by 33 runs.
With the win, Multan Sultans finally opened their account, claiming their first victory of the season.
Earlier, Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Multan Sultans got off to a dream start as Yasir Khan set the tone with a blistering knock that featured six fours and six towering sixes. His aggressive start dismantled the Qalandars' bowling early, giving Multan the platform they needed to push for a massive total.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan added quick runs at the top, smashing 32 off 17 deliveries before falling to Asif Afridi, while Usman Khan contributed a handy 39 off 24, further compounding the pressure on Lahore’s bowling attack.
Despite a brief slowdown in the middle overs, where Rishad Hossain picked up key wickets, including Usman and Ashton Turner, Multan regained momentum thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed’s fireworks at the death.
The veteran all-rounder lit up the final overs with an unbeaten 40 off just 18 balls, including three fours and three sixes.
Lahore’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with only Rishad Hossain (2/45) managing some control. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza picked up one wicket each, but were otherwise expensive on a tough night in Multan.
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Asif Afridi.
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & wk), Yasir Khan, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ashton Turner, David Willey, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah, Joshua Little.
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