By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Multan Sultans produced a clinical batting display to chase down a competitive target of 167 with ease, defeating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets with 15 balls to spare in their HBL PSL 11 clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
The win also took Sultans to the top of the points table with six points from four games. Although Lahore Qalandars also have six points but their net run-rate is inferior to Sultans.
After restricting Quetta Gladiators to 166-7, Multan rode on a blazing start from Sahibzada Farhan and a composed fifty from Steven Smith to take control of the chase before Shan Masood sealed victory with an unbeaten knock.
Farhan set the tone early, smashing 32 off just 14 balls, including four fours and two sixes as Multan raced to 50 in only 3.2 overs. He shared a whirlwind 71-run opening partnership with Smith in just 5.1 overs, putting immediate pressure on the Gladiators’ bowlers.
Smith played the anchor’s role to perfection, striking 53 off 35 balls with seven boundaries and a six. He reached his first fifty of the season in 29 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking even after Farhan fell to Alzarri Joseph.
Josh Philippe added 18 from 15 balls, hitting two fours, as Multan crossed 100 in just 8.5 overs. His dismissal, however, did little to slow the momentum, with Smith and Masood stitching together a crucial 40-run stand for the third wicket.
Masood then took charge after Smith’s departure at 136-3 in the 14th over, maintaining the required rate with calculated aggression. He remained unbeaten on 46 from 30 deliveries, striking two fours and two sixes, and found brief support from Arafat Minhas (6) before finishing the chase alongside captain Ashton Turner.
Multan reached 167-4 in 17.3 overs, completing a comfortable win that underlined their batting depth.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted 166-7 after recovering from early setbacks through a steady innings by captain Saud Shakeel and a late surge led by Bevon Jacobs.
Quetta lost two early wickets inside three overs but Shakeel steadied the innings with 56 off 41 balls, including six fours and a six. He shared a 55-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz (20), who hit three boundaries, to rebuild after the early collapse.
However, Quetta’s progress stalled in the middle overs as Arafat Minhas struck twice in a tight spell, removing Hasan Nawaz and Rilee Rossouw in quick succession to leave them at 72 for four.
Shakeel continued to anchor the innings and brought up his fifty off 34 balls, but his dismissal in the 17th over triggered another wobble.
Jacobs then provided the late impetus, finishing unbeaten on 49 off 31 balls with four fours and three sixes. He combined with Ahmed Daniyal, who blasted 22 off nine balls (two fours, one six), in a rapid 42-run stand that lifted Quetta in the death overs, with 58 runs coming from the final five overs.
For Multan, Mohammad Nawaz was the standout bowler with 3-30 while Minhas returned economical figures of 2-14.
Despite Quetta’s competitive total, Multan’s aggressive start and controlled middle-order batting ensured a straightforward chase, consolidating their position at the top of the table.
Nawaz was adjudged as man of the match for his tight bowling. On Monday Sultans will face Rawalpindiz at the same venue.
This is the third loss for Gladiators from four games.
Summarised Scores:
Quetta Gladiators 166-7 (20 overs) – Saud Shakeel 56 (41), Bevon Jacobs 49* (31), Ahmed Daniyal 22 (9); Mohammad Nawaz 3-30, Arafat Minhas 2-14.
Multan Sultans 167-4 (17.3 overs) – Steven Smith 53 (35), Shan Masood 46* (30), Sahibzada Farhan 32 (14); Hasan Nawaz 2-17, Alzarri Joseph 1-29.
Result: Multan Sultans won by six wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
Mohammad Nawaz (player of the match)
Update on Ahmed Daniyal: Quetta Gladiators’ Ahmed Daniyal suffered a right hamstring injury while completing a third run on the fifth ball of last over of their innings. He has been taken to hospital for further scans.
