LAHORE: Multan Sultans secured their first victory of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 season with a five-wicket win over Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 172 runs, the Sultans reached 175 for five in 18.4 overs, completing the chase with eight balls to spare. Captain Ashton Turner remained unbeaten on 43, guiding his side to a comfortable win after a middle-order collapse briefly threatened to derail the innings.
A solid start for Sultans as they secure a win in their opening game!#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/w0axlcaJkE
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 28, 2026
United post modest total after Momin Qamar strikes
Earlier in the evening, Multan Sultans captain Ashton Turner won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that paid dividends as his bowlers restricted Islamabad United to 171 for eight in their 20 overs.
United’s innings never gained full momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Mark Chapman top-scored with a brisk 40 off 21 balls, while openers Devon Conway (26) and Sameer Minhas (28) provided a steady but unspectacular start.
Young spinner Momin Qamar was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 24 runs in his three overs. Mohammad Wasim Jr also chipped in with two wickets, while Peter Siddle, Mohammad Nawaz, and Arafat Minhas took one each.
Another successful run chase of the day. 🔥#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/XzxsinTjXz
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 28, 2026
Philippe, Turner anchor successful chase
Multan Sultans’ chase began on a shaky note as Sahibzada Farhan fell early for two, caught behind off Imad Wasim. However, Steven Smith provided early impetus with a quickfire 31 off 23 balls, including three sixes, before departing in the seventh over.
Josh Philippe then took charge, playing a composed knock of 55 off 35 deliveries. His innings, studded with five boundaries and two sixes, kept the Sultans on track despite the dismissals of Shan Masood (6) and later Philippe himself in the 15th over.
With the score at 131 for four, captain Ashton Turner held his nerve alongside Arafat Minhas, who smashed a rapid 25 off 11 balls to shift the momentum. After Minhas’s dismissal, Turner remained unbeaten on 43 off 28 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz added a quick seven not out to seal the victory with eight balls remaining.
Shadab, Irshad pick two wickets each for United
For Islamabad United, captain Shadab Khan and Salman Irshad were the most successful bowlers, each claiming two wickets. Imad Wasim also picked up one scalp, but the United bowling attack lacked the penetration needed to defend the modest total.
Sultans open account, United suffer first loss
With this result, Multan Sultans open their points tally in PSL 11, while Islamabad United suffer their first defeat of the season. The victory will boost the Sultans’ confidence as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
