KARACHI: Multan Sultans cruised to an emphatic six-wicket win over Rawalpindiz in the 31st match of PSL 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday, with Steve Smith and Ashton Turner leading the chase with composed yet match-winning knocks.
Chasing a competitive target of 167, the Sultans reached the total comfortably with four wickets down and eight balls to spare, maintaining a calm, calculated and controlled approach throughout the innings. Rawalpindi made an early breakthrough when opener Sahibzada Farhan, who struck four boundaries in his brisk 20 off 17 balls, was clean bowled by Asif Afridi in the fourth over with the score at 29.
Following the early setback, Steve Smith steadied the innings alongside Josh Philippe, ensuring there was no further damage. The pair added a crucial 59 runs for the second wicket, laying a solid and dependable foundation for the chase. Philippe, however, struggled to accelerate and was eventually dismissed for 17 off 19 balls by Afridi, who continued to impress with the ball.
Smith, who initially adopted a cautious approach, gradually shifted gears after settling in and took firm control of the innings. He top-scored with a fluent and well-paced 56 off 31 balls, striking five fours and three sixes, anchoring the chase with authority and confidence.
At 100 for 3 in 11.3 overs, with 66 runs still required from 51 balls, skipper Ashton Turner joined Shan Masood at the crease. The duo ensured stability while keeping the required run rate in check, adding a valuable 57-run partnership that brought the Sultans within touching distance of victory. Razaullah eventually broke the stand on the very first ball of the penultimate over, dismissing Masood for a steady 20 off 22 balls.
Turner remained unbeaten on an impressive 37 off 21 balls and calmly guided the team home in the same over, showing leadership and composure under pressure. He was ably supported by Arafat Minhas, who contributed an unbeaten seven runs as the Sultans sealed the victory with ease.
For Rawalpindiz, Asif Afridi stood out as the most effective bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 28 in his four overs, while Razaullah and Saad Masood picked up one wicket each but could not prevent the Sultans from completing the chase.
Earlier, Rawalpindiz won the toss and opted to bat first, but their innings got off to a shaky and disappointing start. Opener Shazib Khan was dismissed for a duck in the very first over by M. Irfan, and newcomer Yasir Khan followed soon after, managing just four runs before falling to Arafat Minhas in the second over. At that stage, Rawalpindiz were struggling badly at 6 for 2 in just two overs.
Captain Muhammad Rizwan and Daryl Mitchell then attempted to stabilise the innings with a cautious and measured approach. While they succeeded in rebuilding the innings, the scoring rate remained slow and lacked urgency. Rizwan managed 24 runs, but his innings included 11 dot balls, highlighting the pressure exerted by the disciplined bowling attack.
The pair took the total to 69 in the 10th over before Arafat Minhas struck again, removing Rizwan, who was stumped by Philippe. The duo had earlier put together a 63-run partnership for the third wicket, providing some much-needed stability after the early collapse.
Mitchell continued to anchor the innings from one end, forming another important 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Sam Billings, who showed intent and played some attacking shots. Rawalpindiz reached 121 for 4 in 17 overs, but the need for acceleration became increasingly evident.
Billings tried to lift the scoring rate, making 29 off 20 balls with two fours and a six. However, his attempt to accelerate proved costly as he mistimed a slower bouncer from Muhammad Wasim and was caught at deep square leg by M. Imran.
Mitchell held firm at the other end and brought up his half-century, although his strike rate remained steady rather than aggressive. With only a few overs remaining, Rawalpindiz needed a late flourish, and Dian Forrester provided exactly that. He played an outstanding and explosive cameo, smashing three fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 37 off just 15 balls, registering a remarkable strike rate of 246.66. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 58 from 46 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, anchoring the innings but lacking strong support in the middle overs.
