Farhan’s ton powers Sultans to second successive win

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: A solid unbeaten century from Sahibzada Farhan headlined a high-scoring spectacle as Multan Sultans chased down a daunting target to beat Hyderabad Kingsmen by six wickets with eight balls to spare in the HBL PSL 11 game at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
In a match dominated by aggressive stroke-play and rapid partnerships, the Sultans overhauled 225 with remarkable composure, finishing on 227-4 in 18.4 overs to take their points to four from two games. This is also the fifth highest chase in the PSL history and second highest from Multan Sultans.
This also helped Sultans surge to the summit of the points table.
Farhan’s 106 not out off 57 balls, laced with seven fours and eight sixes, anchored the chase, while crucial support came from Steven Smith, whose 46 off 20 balls ensured early momentum in a 104-run opening stand that set the tone.
Sultans came out blazing, racing to 83 without loss in the powerplay. Smith’s crisp drives and innovative hitting complemented Farhan’s calculated aggression, with the pair bringing up their 50 partnership in just 22 balls and 100 in 43 deliveries. Smith struck two fours and four sixes before falling in the ninth over, but the platform had been firmly laid.
Farhan continued to dominate, bringing up his half-century off 25 balls and later his century in 55 deliveries. Partnerships remained key as Shan Masood added 29 in a brisk stand that kept the required rate in check, while a late unbeaten 37-run surge between Farhan and Arafat Minhas (26 not out off 11) sealed the chase in emphatic fashion.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted an imposing 225-5 after opting to bat, powered by explosive middle-order hitting.
Youngster Maaz Sadaqat led the charge with a blistering 62 off just 26 balls, smashing five fours and five sixes. His 59-run opening partnership with Saim Ayub (27 off 20) provided a flying start, with the Kingsmen reaching 74 in the powerplay.
Despite a brief slowdown following quick wickets, Sharjeel Khan reignited the innings with a commanding unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, featuring four towering sixes. He found support from Irfan Khan, whose 22 not out off 13 balls helped produce a 50-run unbroken stand off just 23 deliveries at the death.
The Kingsmen crossed 200 in the 18th over, finishing with a formidable total that ultimately proved insufficient on a batting-friendly surface.
For Sultans, Mohammad Wasim Junior was the pick of the bowlers with 2-37, while Peter Siddle and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a wicket apiece.
However, the night belonged to Farhan, whose innings combined power, placement and composure to cap one of the most clinical chases of the tournament. This is the second century from Farhan in his PSL career and the first century of this edition. Farhan was also adjudged as man of the match.

Summarised scores
Hyderabad Kingsmen 225-5 (20 overs)
Maaz Sadaqat 62 (26), Sharjeel Khan 51* (26), Saim Ayub 27 (20)
Mohammad Wasim 2-37

Multan Sultans 227-4 (18.4 overs)
Sahibzada Farhan 106* (57), Steven Smith 46 (20), Shan Masood 29 (16)
Saim Ayub 2-43
Result: Multan Sultans won by 6 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)