Lahore Qalandars secured a 20-run victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, powered by Mohammad Naeem’s half-century and disciplined bowling from their attack.
Set a revised target of 186 runs in 13 overs, the Sultans managed 165/5 despite valiant efforts from Shan Masood and captain Ashton Turner, who remained unbeaten with a half-century.
The Sultans struggled early, losing Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) inside the 3.5-over powerplay with just 18 runs on the board. Shan Masood then joined Sahibzada Farhan (24) to put together a 32-run partnership for the third wicket before Farhan fell to Mustafizur Rahman in the sixth over. Masood continued his counter-attack but was dismissed for 44 off 18 balls in the 10th over, also by Rahman.
Captain Turner and emerging all-rounder Arafat Minhas (25) attempted to rebuild with a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Minhas was dismissed by Sikandar Raza in the final over, leaving Turner unbeaten on 52 from 22 deliveries, including five sixes and two fours, but the Sultans fell short.
Mustafizur Rahman was the standout bowler for the Qalandars, claiming two wickets for 37 runs in three overs, supported by Ubaid Shah, Sikandar Raza, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, each taking a wicket. Mohammad Naeem’s 60 off 28 balls earned him the Player of the Match award.
The match, reduced to 13 overs per side due to a two-hour rain delay, saw Qalandars’ top order dominate after Sultans captain Turner elected to field first. Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon provided a flying start with an 86-run opening stand in five overs.
Debutant Muhammad Ismail provided the breakthrough by dismissing Emon (45 off 19 balls) in the sixth over. Abdullah Shafique and Naeem added 58 runs before falling in successive overs to Ismail and Faisal Akram. Naeem’s 60 was studded with four sixes and four fours, while Shafique scored 33 off 14 balls.
Peter Siddle removed Rubin Hermann (3) in the penultimate over, but Sikandar Raza hit two boundaries in the final deliveries to finish the innings on a positive note. Ismail ended with figures of 2/47, while Siddle and Akram took one wicket each.
The victory marks the Qalandars’ dominance in the PSL 11, handing the Sultans their first defeat in the tournament.