Lahore Qalandars pulled off a thrilling five-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League, thanks to stellar batting efforts from New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza. Chasing 186, Qalandars got over the line with an over to spare in what turned out to be a clinical run chase.
After losing Mohammad Naeem early for just 6, Lahore found stability through Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique. Fakhar contributed a brisk 28 off 22 balls, while Shafique added 34 off 25.
The duo laid a solid platform before Fakhar was dismissed, and Shafique went on to stitch a crucial 49-run stand with Mitchell.
The momentum briefly shifted when Ubaid Shah struck twice in quick succession, removing Shafique and then sending Sam Billings back for a duck. With Lahore needing 91 runs from the remaining overs, pressure mounted.
However, Mitchell, in fine form, rose to the occasion. The Kiwi right-hander smashed 64 off just 38 deliveries, including four fours and four sixes, striking at over 168. He was ably supported by Sikandar Raza, who anchored the chase in the latter half.
The duo put together a game-defining 89-run partnership, effectively taking the contest away from Multan. Though Mitchell was dismissed with only two runs required, Raza ensured there were no last-minute hiccups.
Raza remained unbeaten on a fiery 40 off 21 balls, peppered with two boundaries and four towering sixes, sealing the win in the 19th over.
The loss marks Multan Sultans’ fifth of the season, leaving last year’s finalists teetering on the edge of early elimination from the tournament.
In the bowling department, Ubaid Shah was the standout for the Sultans, claiming 2 for 34, while Hasnain, Little, and Javed picked up one wicket apiece but were expensive throughout.
Earlier, Half-centuries from captain Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam power Multan Sultans to a challenging 186-run target for Lahore Qalandars.
Lahore Qalandars won the toss and chose to field first, inviting Multan Sultans to set a target in their Pakistan Super League clash. The Sultans responded with a strong batting performance, posting 185 for 3 at the end of their 20 overs.
Opening the innings, Yasir Khan provided a quick start with 24 runs off 18 balls before being caught by Sikandar Raza off Haris Rauf.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings brilliantly, remaining unbeaten on 76 from just 48 deliveries, smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes with a strike rate of 158.33. Usman Khan chipped in with 18 off 14, while Shai Hope added 9 from 9 before falling to Sam Curran.
The real late push came from Kamran Ghulam, who partnered Rizwan in an unbeaten stand and hammered 52 off 31 balls, clearing the boundary four times and finding it twice.
The duo stitched together a commanding 115-run partnership off just 55 deliveries, powering Multan to a formidable 185/3 in 20 overs.
Multan Sultans will be aiming to turn their campaign around after losing four of their first five matches, while the Qalandars are also looking to bounce back following back-to-back defeats in their last two outings.
Lahore Qalandars XI: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi
Multan Sultans XI: Muhammad Rizwan (Captain), Shai Hope, Yasir Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ubaid Shah, Muhammad Hasnain, Akif Javed, Josh Little
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