Lahore Qalandars secured a 20-run victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-affected contest, with their top order laying the foundation for a commanding performance in the shortened 13-overs-a-side match.
After being put in to bat, Qalandars made a blistering start, racing to 134 runs in the first eight overs. Their aggressive approach at the top set up a challenging target of 186 for Multan Sultans under the DLS method.
Explosive Start Sets the Tone
The Qalandars’ top three dominated from the outset, capitalising on early indiscipline from the Sultans’ bowlers. The first 27 balls produced 85 runs without loss, putting immediate pressure on the opposition.
Mohammad Naeem led the charge with a rapid half-century, reaching the milestone in just 24 balls. While the scoring rate dipped slightly towards the end, Qalandars still finished with a strong 185 for 5.
Peter Siddle stood out for the Sultans with figures of 1-26 in three overs, although fielding lapses, including five overthrows off the final ball, reflected a difficult outing in the field.
Disciplined Powerplay with the Ball
Qalandars carried their momentum into the bowling phase, delivering a highly effective powerplay. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Ubaid Shah, and Mustafizur Rahman restricted the Sultans to just 27 runs during the fielding restrictions, effectively putting the chase out of reach early.
Shaheen dismissed Steve Smith after the batter attempted an aggressive shot, while Ubaid removed Josh Phillippe cheaply. Sahibzada Farhan managed a couple of boundaries but was soon dismissed as well.
Late Fightback Falls Short
Despite the early setbacks, Multan Sultans showed resistance in the latter half of their innings. Shan Masood played an aggressive knock of 44 off 17 balls, while Ashton Turner remained unbeaten on 52.
The Sultans scored 136 runs in the final nine overs, but the early damage proved too significant to overcome, as they finished on 165 for 5.
Qalandars Maintain Control
Lahore Qalandars’ dominance in both the powerplay with the bat and ball ultimately decided the contest. Their ability to capitalise early ensured that the Sultans were always chasing the game, even as the latter attempted a late surge.
