Multan Sultans registered their first victory of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 with a convincing 33-run win over Lahore Qalandars in the 12th match of the tournament at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a massive target of 229, Lahore Qalandars fell short, managing 195/9 in their 20 overs despite a fighting half-century from Sikandar Raza.
Lahore got off to a lively start as openers Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem added 38 runs in quick time. However, their momentum was disrupted when Michael Bracewell removed Naeem (11 off 11) in the fourth over. The very next over, Fakhar (32 off 14, 2 fours, 3 sixes) was dismissed by Ubaid Shah, with Josh Little taking a superb catch in the deep.
The Qalandars’ middle order faltered as wickets continued to tumble. Sam Billings provided some resistance with a quickfire 43 off 23 balls, including two fours and four sixes, before being dismissed by the impressive Ubaid Shah in the 15th over.
Sikandar Raza stood tall with an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), but lacked support from the other end as Lahore failed to chase down the target.
Ubaid Shah starred with the ball for the Sultans, claiming 3/37 in his four overs. He was well supported by Bracewell and Usama Mir, who picked up two wickets each, while David Willey and Josh Little chipped in with one apiece.
Earlier, Multan Sultans posted an imposing total of 228/5 after opting to bat first. The decision proved fruitful as openers Yasir Khan and Mohammad Rizwan laid a strong foundation with an 89-run stand in just seven overs.
Rizwan was the first to fall, bowled by Asif Afridi for a brisk 32 off 17 balls (4 fours, 1 six). Usman Khan joined Yasir and added a valuable 70-run partnership. Usman struck 39 off 24 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and a six.
Yasir Khan was the star with the bat, smashing a scintillating 87 off just 44 balls, including six fours and six maximums.
Following a brief middle-order wobble, Iftikhar Ahmed provided the final flourish with a fiery 40 off 18 deliveries, helping the Sultans cross the 220 mark.
For Lahore, Rishad Hossain was the most successful bowler, picking up 2/45, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sikandar Raza, and Asif Afridi took one wicket each.
The win marks an important turnaround for the Sultans as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
