Multan Sultans kickstarted their HBL PSL 2025 campaign with a commanding 33-run victory over Lahore Qalandars at a packed Multan Cricket Stadium, posting a record 228/5—the highest total at the venue—before restricting Qalandars to 195/9. Yasir Khan’s explosive 87 off 44 balls and Iftikhar Ahmed’s unbeaten 40* (18) propelled the Sultans, while rookie pacer Ubaid Shah (3-37) and spinners Michael Bracewell (2-20) and Usama Mir (2-26) dismantled Qalandars’ chase.
Opting to bat first, Sultans’ openers Yasir and captain Mohammad Rizwan (32 off 17) tore into Qalandars’ pace attack, plundering 79 in the powerplay. Yasir hammered Zaman Khan for three sixes in an over, while Rizwan smashed Haris Rauf for 20 runs in the sixth. Despite Asif Afridi’s tight spell (1-24), Yasir raced to a 28-ball fifty and partnered with Usman Khan (39 off 24) to keep the momentum. Iftikhar’s late assault—including 14 off Shaheen Afridi’s final over—sealed the mammoth total, with Qalandars’ star pacers Shaheen, Rauf, and Zaman leaking 119 combined in 8 overs.
In reply, Fakhar Zaman’s fiery 32 (14) gave Qalandars hope, but Ubaid’s slower ball dismissed him via a stunning Josh Little catch. Abdullah Shafique (22) and Daryl Mitchell (18) fell in quick succession, and despite Sam Billings’ 43 and Sikandar Raza’s defiant 50* (27), the 229-run target proved insurmountable. Ubaid’s crucial wickets and Mir’s middle-over strikes ensured Qalandars fell short, handing Sultans their first win after three losses.
Key Performances:
Yasir Khan: 87 (44) – 6x4s, 6x6s
Iftikhar Ahmed: 40* (18) – 3x4s, 3x6s
Ubaid Shah: 3-37, including Fakhar’s wicket
Sikandar Raza: 50* (27) – lone fight for Qalandars
The Sultans now gear up to face Islamabad United on Wednesday, riding high on their record-breaking home performance.
Also read: Lahore Qalandars elect to bat first as Karachi Kings clash heats up PSL 10
