Multan Sultans finally registered their first victory in HBL PSL X with a commanding 33-run win over Lahore Qalandars in a high-scoring thriller at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night.

By PakPassion Staff (April 22nd, 2025)

Opening batter Yasir Khan stole the spotlight in his first appearance of the season, blasting a fiery 87 off 44 balls. His innings laid the foundation for the Sultans’ imposing total of 228-5 — the highest ever recorded at the venue in PSL history. The bowling unit, led by young pacer Ubaid Shah, then put in a clinical performance to restrict Qalandars to 195-9 in 20 overs.

Chasing a daunting 229-run target, Qalandars lost Mohammad Naeem early to Michael Bracewell. Fakhar Zaman counterattacked with a blistering 32 off just 14 balls, including three sixes and two fours, before he was caught at deep midwicket off Ubaid, leaving Qalandars at 49-2 inside five overs.

Regular breakthroughs by Bracewell and Ubaid in the middle overs disrupted the Qalandars' momentum. Usama Mir’s dismissal of Rishad Hossain further derailed the chase, with 118 needed off the final 52 balls.

Sam Billings (43 off 23) and Sikandar Raza (50* off 27) provided a glimmer of hope with a 38-run partnership, but Ubaid returned to dismiss Billings and claim his third wicket. Despite Sikandar’s valiant unbeaten half-century, the lower order couldn’t keep up.

For Multan, Ubaid finished with figures of 3-37, while Bracewell and Usama chipped in with two wickets each.

Earlier in the evening, Yasir Khan ignited the home crowd with his explosive innings, sharing an 89-run opening stand with captain Mohammad Rizwan (32 off 17). Usman Khan added 39 off 24 balls, while Iftikhar Ahmed finished the innings on a high with a rapid 40* off 18 balls, featuring three sixes and three fours.

Qalandars’ pacers endured a tough outing, conceding 142 runs in their 10 overs with only one wicket to show. Asif Afridi stood out with an economical 1-26 in his four overs, while Rishad Hossain took 2-45.