Multan Sultans registered their first win of the PSL 2025 season, defeating Lahore Qalandars by 33 runs at their home ground in Multan. A stellar performance from Yasir Khan, who scored a blistering 87 runs, set the tone for a dominant batting display, and Ubaid Shah’s vital wickets helped seal the victory for his side.
A Blistering Start by Yasir Khan
Multan Sultans were off to a fantastic start after Lahore Qalandars won the toss and opted to bowl first. Yasir Khan played an outstanding knock, scoring 87 off 44 balls, driving the Sultans to a mammoth total of 228/5 in their allotted 20 overs. His attack on Shaheen Afridi in the early overs and subsequent onslaughts on Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf helped build the foundation. The Sultans quickly surged to 79 runs in the powerplay, setting the stage for a big score.
Quickfire Contributions From Iftikhar Ahmed
After Yasir’s departure, Iftikhar Ahmed stepped up, contributing a quickfire 40* off 18 balls, which helped Multan reach a remarkable total of 228. Even though Rishad Hossain and Daryl Mitchell tried to keep things tight, the Sultans’ aggressive approach proved too much for Qalandars to contain. With Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan conceding 119 runs in just 8 overs, it was clear that Multan’s batting depth had the upper hand.
Lahore Qalandars Struggled in the Chase
In reply, Lahore Qalandars needed a fast start to stay in the hunt. Fakhar Zaman provided the fireworks, taking on David Willey and scoring 30 runs from just 2 overs. However, Ubaid Shah and Michael Bracewell struck early, with Ubaid taking the important wicket of Fakhar in the 5th over. Zaman’s dismissal was a big blow, as he had been the key to chasing down such a steep target.
Middle Order Collapse for Lahore Qalandars
As Abdullah Shafique and Daryl Mitchell put together a brief partnership, Qalandars were still struggling with the required run rate. Despite a solid 36-run partnership between Shafique and Mitchell, Qalandars’ middle order could not handle the pressure. Ubaid Shah struck again, dismissing Billings in a crucial moment and finishing with impressive figures of 3/37.
Sikandar Raza attempted to keep the hopes alive with a late onslaught, smashing a rapid 50 off 27 balls. His efforts included some big sixes but weren’t enough to steer Qalandars to victory, as they finished their innings at 195/9, falling short by 33 runs.
Ubaid Shah’s Memorable Moment
A bizarre yet memorable moment occurred when Ubaid Shah unintentionally struck Usman Khan in the face while celebrating a wicket. The incident quickly went viral across social media, adding a bit of comic relief to an otherwise intense match. Fortunately, Usman was cleared by the medical team and gave a thumbs-up, reassuring fans that he was fine.
Multan Sultans Get Their First Win of PSL 2025
This win marks Multan Sultans’ first points of the season after three losses. Their confidence is boosted by this win, and they’ll hope to build on it as the PSL 2025 progresses. Lahore Qalandars, on the other hand, will need to address their inconsistencies if they are to challenge for the top spots in the points table.
Key Takeaways:
- Yasir Khan played a key role with his explosive 87 runs, setting a solid foundation for Multan Sultans.
- Ubaid Shah starred with the ball, taking 3 wickets and also making headlines with his viral celebration.
- Lahore Qalandars’ middle-order collapse proved costly, with Sikandar Raza’s 50 being too little, too late.
Also Read: PSL 2025 Shock: Pakistan Bowler Attacks Teammate During PSL Game, Causes Injury on Field
