LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars delivered a commanding performance to defeat Multan Sultans by 20 runs in a rain-shortened match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The match, reduced to 13 overs per side due to a lengthy rain delay, saw Lahore post an imposing 185/5, thanks largely to a blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem. In reply, Multan fell short at 165/5 despite a spirited fightback.
Chasing a steep 186-run target in just 13 overs, the Sultans stumbled early, losing Steve Smith and Josh Philippe cheaply within the powerplay, leaving them struggling at 18 runs.
A brief recovery came through Shan Masood and Sahibzada Farhan, who added 32 runs for the third wicket before Farhan was dismissed. Masood then launched a counterattack, scoring a rapid 44 off 18 balls, but his departure halted the momentum.
Captain Ashton Turner kept hopes alive with a brilliant unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries, supported by Arafat Minhas (25), as the pair shared a crucial 57-run stand. However, the target ultimately proved out of reach, handing Multan their first defeat of the tournament.
Among the bowlers, Mustafizur Rahman led the charge with two wickets, while Ubaid Shah, Sikandar Raza, and skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to field, Multan’s decision backfired as Lahore’s top order dominated from the outset. Openers Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon raced to an 86-run stand in just five overs, setting the tone for a big total.
Debutant pacer Muhammad Ismail eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Emon for a quickfire 45 off 19 balls. However, Lahore maintained the pressure as Abdullah Shafique joined Naeem for a brisk 58-run partnership before both fell in quick succession.
Naeem was the standout performer, smashing 60 off 28 balls, while Shafique contributed a handy 33 off 14 deliveries. Late wickets by Peter Siddle and Faisal Akram slowed the scoring briefly, but a late flourish from Sikandar Raza ensured a strong finish.
For Multan, Ismail impressed despite a costly start, picking up two wickets, while Siddle and Akram claimed one each.
Squads
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl and Shahab Khan.
Multan Sultans: Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ismail and Atizaz Habib Khan.
