LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 witnessed another high-scoring thriller at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday where Multan Sultans chased down a daunting target of 226 to defeat debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by six wickets in the 8th match of the season. Under a new administration, the Sultans registered their second win of the tournament, powered by a magnificent unbeaten century from Sahibzada Farhan.
Earlier in the evening, Hyderabad Kingsmen won the toss and elected to bat first, producing their highest total of the season — 225/5 in 20 overs. The innings was built on explosive contributions from the top and middle order. Maaz Sadaqat stole the show with a blistering 62 off just 26 balls, hammering five fours and five sixes, while Sharjeel Khan announced his return to form with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, his 19th T20 fifty.
The Kingsmen’s innings began brightly, with Saim Ayub (27 off 20) and Sadaqat adding 59 for the opening wicket. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals — including Marnus Labuschagne (8) and Usman Khan (5) — the side maintained momentum through Syed Saad Ali (23 off 19) and Irfan Khan (22 off 13). Their aggressive stroke play ensured Hyderabad crossed the 200-run mark in the 18th over, setting Multan a formidable challenge.
Multan’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught. Shehzad Gul was particularly expensive, conceding 60 runs in his four overs, while Mohammad Wasim stood out with two wickets for 37 runs. Despite occasional breakthroughs, Hyderabad’s batting depth carried them to a commanding total. Siddle and Ashton Turner each took a wicket but conceded at nearly 10 runs per over.
Momin Qamar was particularly expensive, conceding 39 runs in three overs at 13 runs per over, while Mohammad Nawaz bowled only two overs, conceding 22 runs but claiming the key wicket of Maaz Sadaqat.
In reply, Multan Sultans delivered a batting masterclass, spearheaded by Sahibzada Farhan, who played the role of sheet-anchor to perfection. His unbeaten 106 off 57 balls — laced with seven fours and eight sixes — was the cornerstone of the chase. Farhan’s innings was marked by composure, timing and calculated aggression, ensuring Multan remained ahead of the required rate throughout.
Farhan was ably supported by Steven Smith, who smashed 46 off 20 balls with two fours and four sixes. Together, they added a blistering 104 runs for the opening wicket, setting the tone for the chase. Smith’s dismissal in the 9th over did little to slow Multan, as Farhan continued to dominate.
Josh Philippe (9 off 4) and Shan Masood (29 off 16) chipped in with quick runs, while Arafat Minhas provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 26 off 11 balls, striking four boundaries and a six. Their contributions ensured Multan crossed the line with eight balls to spare, finishing at 227/4 in 18.4 overs.
The match’s pivotal moment came in the 8th over when Farhan, batting on 56, was dropped by Irfan Niazi off Maaz Sadaqat. The chance, shelled under the floodlights, proved costly as Farhan went on to complete his ninth T20 century in 55 balls. That reprieve shifted momentum firmly in Multan’s favor.
Hyderabad’s bowlers failed to apply sustained pressure. Saim Ayub picked up two wickets but conceded 43 runs in three overs, while Maheesh Theekshana (1/38) and Hassan Khan (1/25) provided brief resistance. However, the relentless scoring from Farhan and Smith neutralized their efforts.
This contest marked the second high-scoring chase of PSL 2026, echoing the earlier third match where Rawalpindi’s 214/4 was surpassed by Peshawar Zalmi’s 218/1. Similarly, Hyderabad’s 225 was overhauled by Multan, reinforcing the trend of batting dominance in this edition.
The match will be remembered for Sahibzada Farhan’s brilliance, a knock that combined patience with power and showcased his ability to anchor a chase under pressure. For Hyderabad Kingsmen, the defeat was a bitter pill, as their highest total of the season was undone by Multan’s batting depth and Farhan’s resilience.
With this victory, Multan Sultans not only secured their second win of PSL 11 but also sent a strong message to rivals: under new administration, they remain a force to be reckoned with. For Hyderabad, the challenge now is to regroup quickly and convert their batting firepower into winning results.
