By Himadullah Sohoo 
The Multan Sultans continued their supremacy in PSL 9, getting their third consecutive win with a thrilling chase against the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s fighting half-century and Iftikhar Ahmed’s late fireworks drove the Sultans to a record-breaking victory, rewriting history at their home ground.
Chasing Down a Challenging Target:
Set a target of 167 runs, the Sultans’ chase started shaky with early dismissals. However, Rizwan steadied the ship with a well-paced 82, building partnerships with Yasir Khan and David Willey. With the required run rate climbing, Iftikhar stepped up in the penultimate over, unleashing a flurry of boundaries and sixes to seal the deal with one over to spare.
Lahore’s Batting Stutters:
Earlier, the Qalandars struggled after opting to bat first. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Rassie van der Dussen provided a glimmer of hope with a 94-run partnership, but wickets fell at crucial junctures, restricting them to a below-par total. Mohammad Ali and Abbas Afridi impressed with two wickets each for the Sultans.
Key Highlights of the Match:
- Multan Sultans register the highest successful chase in HBL PSL history at their home ground.
- Iftikhar Ahmed’s 11-ball 34 seals the win for the Sultans in a nail-biting finish.
- Mohammad Rizwan contributes a crucial 82 runs for the Sultans.
- Lahore Qalandars suffer their third consecutive defeat in the tournament.
What’s Next?
The Multan Sultans continue their impressive run, sitting comfortably at the top of the points table. The Lahore Qalandars, on the other hand, need to find their winning form quickly to avoid falling further behind. The PSL 9 promises exciting matches ahead as teams battle it out for the coveted trophy.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Qalandars 166-5, 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 54, Fakhar Zaman 41; Mohammad Ali 2-28)
Multan Sultans 170-5, 19 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 82, Iftikhar Ahmed 34 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-25)
Result: Multan Sultans beat Lahore Qalandars by five wickets
Player of the match – Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans)
Tomorrow’s fixture: Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (7 pm)
Zainab Shafiq