PSL 11: Pindiz beaten in Multan Sultans VS Rawalpindiz clash

LAHORE: Multan Sultans secured a six-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in the 31st match of Pakistan Super League 11 at National Bank Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to a solid all-round performance led by Steven Smith.

Chasing 166 in the Multan Sultans vs Rawalpindiz encounter, the Sultans reached the target with four wickets down and eight balls to spare.

The chase began on a modest note as Sahibzada Farhan fell for 20 in the fourth over with 29 runs on the board. Smith, initially cautious, accelerated after the early setback and built a crucial 69-run stand with Josh Philippe.

Smith top-scored with a quickfire 56 off 31 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes, while Philippe added 17. Their dismissals in quick succession left the Sultans at 100-3 in 11.3 overs.

Captain Ashton Turner then anchored the chase alongside Shan Masood, as the pair added 57 runs to bring their side close to victory. Masood scored 20 before falling in the penultimate over, while Turner remained unbeaten on 37 off 21 balls to guide the Sultans home, with Arafat Minhas supporting him with seven not out.

For Rawalpindiz, Asif Afridi was the standout bowler with 2-28, while Razaullah and Saad Masood took one wicket each.

Earlier, batting first in the Multan Sultans vs Rawalpindiz clash, Rawalpindiz posted 166-6 in their 20 overs after recovering from a shaky start. They lost Shahzaib Khan and Yasir Khan early, slipping to 6-2 inside two overs.

A steady 63-run partnership between Mitchell and captain Mohammad Rizwan helped stabilise the innings. Rizwan scored 26 before departing, while Mitchell anchored the innings.

Mitchell later added 52 runs with Sam Billings, who contributed 29. A late flourish came from Dian Forrester, who smashed 37 off just 15 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes.

Mitchell remained unbeaten on 58 off 46 deliveries, guiding Rawalpindiz to a competitive total. For the Sultans, Mohammad Imran, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Arafat Minhas picked up one wicket each.

Despite a fighting total, Rawalpindiz fell short as Multan Sultans held their composure to seal victory in the Multan Sultans vs Rawalpindiz showdown.