Smith, Turner guide Sultans to a vital victory
The win helps Sultans stretch their points to 12 from eight matches while Rawalpindiz taste their eighth successive defeat in the eight-team event
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Steven Smith’s blistering fifty propelled Multan Sultans to a commanding six-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in their HBL PSL 11 match at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
The Australian veteran struck a 31-ball 56, featuring five boundaries and three sixes as Sultans chased down a target of 167 with eight balls to spare. The win consolidates Multan’s position at the top of the table with 12 points while Rawalpindiz remain rooted to the bottom with their eighth loss on trot.
Sultans’ pursuit began with intent during the powerplay, racing to 51 runs for the loss of Sahibzada Farhan (20). The foundation of the chase was a rapid 69-run second-wicket partnership between Smith and Josh Philippe (17).
Smith reached his fifty in just 27 deliveries, dominating the Rawalpindiz attack before falling to Saad Masood in the 12th over. Despite a mid-innings wobble where Smith and Philippe fell in quick succession, captain Ashton Turner ensured there were no further hiccups. Turner’s unbeaten 37 off 21 balls, supported by a 57-run stand with Shan Masood (20), guided Sultans home in the 19th over.
Asif Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Rawalpindiz, claiming 2-28, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Sultans’ scoring rate of 8.94 runs per over.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Rawalpindiz endured a disastrous start, losing Shahzaib Khan (0) and Yasir Khan (4) within the first two overs to Mohammad Imran and Peter Siddle respectively.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan (26) and Daryl Mitchell (58*) stabilized the innings with a 63-run partnership for the third wicket. Mitchell was the anchor of the innings, striking three fours and two sixes in his 46-ball stay.
A late-innings flourish from Dian Forrester provided the necessary impetus for Rawalpindiz. Forrester smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 15 deliveries at a strike rate of 246.66, including three towering sixes. Alongside Mitchell, he added an unbeaten 45 runs for the fifth wicket to push the total to 166-4.
Sultans’ bowling unit remained disciplined, led by Mohammad Imran, who finished with 1-9 from his three overs.
Summarised scores
Rawalpindiz: 166-4 (20 overs): Daryl Mitchell 58* (46), Dian Forrester 37* (15), Mohammad Imran 1-9, Peter Siddle 1-39
Multan Sultans: 167-4 (18.4 overs): Steven Smith 56 (31), Ashton Turner 37* (21), Asif Afridi 2-28, Saad Masood 1-27
Steve Smith (Man of the match)
Today’s fixtures: Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi (2:30pm Gaddafi Stadium Lahore); Hyderabad Kingsmen v Multan Sultans (7pm at National Bank Stadium Karachi)
