Qalandars Secure Victory Over Sultans in Thrilling Encounter

LAHORE: A dynamic half-century by Daryl Mitchell, complementing his earlier bowling performance of 1/47, propelled Lahore Qalandars to a convincing five-wicket triumph against Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

The home team successfully chased down the challenging 186-run target, achieving the winning score with five wickets in hand and six balls remaining.

The Qalandars faced an initial setback when opener Mohammad Naeem (six) was dismissed by Josh Little in the second over, with the score at just 12.

Following this early loss, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique forged a 33-run partnership for the second wicket before Mohammad Hasnain removed Fakhar at the start of the batting powerplay.

Fakhar contributed a valuable 28 off 22 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes.

Abdullah then partnered with Daryl Mitchell for a 49-run stand for the third wicket, keeping the Qalandars on track.

However, Ubaid Shah’s double strike, dismissing Shafique and then Sam Billings for a duck in the 12th over, threatened to derail the chase. Shafique’s innings included two fours and two sixes in his 34 off 25 balls.

These quick wickets reduced Qalandars to 95/4 in 12 overs. But a remarkable fifth-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Sikandar Raza shifted the momentum back in favor of the home side.

The duo dominated the Sultans’ bowling attack, adding a crucial 89 runs, which ended with Mitchell’s dismissal in the penultimate over. Mitchell’s 64 from 38 balls, with four fours and four sixes, was the highest score for the Qalandars.

Raza remained unbeaten, guiding the Qalandars to their third victory in PSL 10 with 40 off 21 deliveries, hitting two fours and four sixes.

Ubaid Shah was the pick of the bowlers for the Sultans, claiming two wickets, while Hasnain, Akif Javed, and Little each took one.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Sultans posted 185/3 in their 20 overs, boosted by an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership between Rizwan and Ghulam.

After a slow start, the visitors gained momentum through Yasir Khan, who hit a six and a four. However, the bowler responded by dismissing him, ending the opening stand.

Yasir scored 24 off 18 balls, including three fours and a six.

Rizwan then had brief partnerships with Usman Khan and Shai Hope, who scored 18 off 14 balls and nine off nine balls, respectively.

With the score at 70/3 in 10.1 overs, Kamran Ghulam joined Rizwan, and together they orchestrated the Sultans’ recovery.

They batted cautiously against the Qalandars’ bowling attack, adding an unbeaten 115 runs for the fourth wicket.

Rizwan top-scored for the Sultans with an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes, while Ghulam contributed 52 not out from 31 balls, with two fours and four sixes.

For the Qalandars, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf and Daryl Mitchell each took a wicket.