Multan, April 22, 2025:
Multan Sultans notched up their 12th win in 14 matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium, but more significantly, they ended a three-match losing streak in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2025 with a convincing 33-run victory over Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday.
Yasir Khan, replacing Shai Hope at the top of the order, lit up the stadium with a whirlwind 44-ball 87 that laid the foundation for the Sultans’ imposing total of 228 for five in 20 overs. Then, 20-year-old Ubaid Shah struck crucial blows by removing Fakhar Zaman, Daryl Mitchell and Sam Billings, as Lahore Qalandars finished on 195 for nine.
On Wednesday, the Sultans face table-toppers Islamabad United, who have won all four of their matches so far. A win for Multan would lift them to fourth place, behind Karachi Kings (three wins from five matches) and Lahore Qalandars (two wins from four). In contrast, a victory for Islamabad United would virtually seal their place in the play-offs.
The Sultans capitalised on a good toss and a supportive home crowd, racing to 89 for no loss in seven overs and then 155 for one in 13 overs. They added 73 runs in the final seven overs, losing four wickets in the process, to post a commanding total.
Twenty-three-year-old Yasir Khan from Bannu set the tone with a blistering knock featuring six fours and six sixes – two off Shaheen Shah Afridi and one each off Asif Khan, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan and Rishad Hossain. He reached his half-century off 28 balls, with five fours and three sixes.
Yasir was involved in two strong partnerships that kept the Sultans ahead of the Qalandars throughout. He added 89 runs in 45 balls for the opening wicket with captain Mohammad Rizwan (32 off 17 balls, four fours and a six), followed by a 70-run stand from 38 balls with Usman Khan (39 off 24 balls, five fours and a six) for the second wicket.
Experienced campaigner Iftikhar Ahmed provided late impetus with an unbeaten 40 off 18 balls, including three fours and three sixes. He came to the crease with the score at 179 for four in the 16th over.
All Lahore Qalandars bowlers came under attack. Haris Rauf was the most expensive, conceding 54 runs in three overs. Zaman Khan gave away 22 runs in his only over, while Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with one for 43 from four overs. Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain was the most successful bowler, claiming two for 45.
In their run-chase, the Qalandars stumbled early. New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell removed Mohammad Naeem (11) and Abdullah Shafique (18), before Ubaid Shah derailed the middle-order with the key wickets of Fakhar (32), Mitchell (19) and Billings (43), ending with figures of 4-0-37-3.
After being reduced to 149 for six in 15 overs, Qalandars eventually crawled to 195 for nine. Sikandar Raza offered late resistance with a valiant unbeaten 50 off 27 balls, including five fours and three sixes.
Usama Mir also had a strong outing for Multan Sultans, returning figures of two for 26, including the wickets of Rishad Hossain and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Scores in brief
HBL PSL 2025 Match 12 – Multan Sultans beat Lahore Qalandars by 33 runs
Multan Sultans 228-5, 20 overs (Yasir Khan 87, Iftikhar Ahmed 40 not out, Usman Khan 39, Mohammad Rizwan 32; Rishad Hossain 2-45)
Lahore Qalandars 195-9, 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 50 out, Sam Billings 43, Fakhar Zaman 32; Ubaid Shah 3-37, Michael Bracewell 2-20, Usama Mir 2-26)
Player of the match – Yasir Khan (Multan Sultans)
