Farhan, Philippe, Faisal guide Sultans to fourth win

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: A blistering assault led by Sahibzada Farhan and Josh Philippe powered Multan Sultans to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in their HBL PSL 11 game at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a competitive 183, Sultans made a mockery of the target, racing to 186-3 in just 16.2 overs with 22 balls to spare, courtesy of a dazzling 110-run partnership for the second wicket that broke the back of the chase.
Farhan set the tone early with a high-tempo 68 off 38 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes. His clean hitting over midwicket and long-on ensured the required rate never became a factor. At the other end, Philippe matched him, hammering 56 off 30 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes, as the duo added 100 runs in just 53 balls.
The pair accelerated sharply after the powerplay, where Sultans had already reached 58-1, turning the game decisively in their favour. Philippe brought up his fifty in just 27 balls while Farhan reached his in 27 balls as well, underlining the relentless tempo of the chase.
After Philippe fell at 122 in the 12th over, Farhan continued briefly before departing for 68, but by then the contest was effectively over. Shan Masood (27 not out off 15, 2 fours, 1 six) and captain Ashton Turner (26 not out off 10, 2 fours, 2 sixes) applied the finishing touches with a flurry of boundaries, taking the side home in emphatic fashion.
Earlier, Rawalpindiz posted 182-8 after being asked to bat with Sam Billings anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 56 off 34 balls. His knock included seven fours and a six, holding the innings together after regular wickets.
Rawalpindiz had a shaky start, losing Yasir Khan (5) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (19) inside the powerplay. Kamran Ghulam provided impetus with a brisk 35 off 24 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), while Abdullah Fazal struck a quick 14 off 8 (1 four, 1 six).
However, it was a middle-order burst from Dian Forrester that lifted the scoring rate. He smashed 24 off just 11 balls, launching three sixes and a four, briefly shifting momentum. Billings then stitched key lower-order contributions, including a late stand that pushed Rawalpindiz past 180.
The innings featured useful cameos but lacked a defining partnership, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Their total was built on scattered contributions rather than sustained stands.
For Sultans, Faisal Akram produced his best T20 figures with 4-31, removing key middle-order batters while Arafat Minhas chipped in with 2-22, keeping things tight through the middle overs.
But the night ultimately belonged to the Sultans’ top order, whose aggressive strokeplay combining 12 fours and 11 sixes in the chase left Rawalpindiz with no answers.
The fourth win from five matches propelled Sultans to eight points at the summit while this is the fourth straight loss for Rawalpindiz and they are yet to open their account.

Summarised Scores:

Rawalpindiz 182-8 in 20 overs
Sam Billings 56* (34), Kamran Ghulam 35 (24), Dian Forrester 24 (11)
Faisal Akram 4-31, Arafat Minhas 2-22

Multan Sultans 186-3 in 16.2 overs
Sahibzada Farhan 68 (38), Josh Philippe 56 (30), Shan Masood 27* (15)
Sultans won by 7 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)
Faisal Akram: Player of the match