Lahore, April 26, 2025:
An 89-run fifth-wicket partnership off just 41 balls between Daryl Mitchell and Sikandar Raza powered Lahore Qalandars to a five-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in the 16th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
After a double strike by Ubaid Shah in the 12th over left Lahore reeling at 95 for four and requiring 11.3 runs per over for victory, Mitchell and Raza turned the tide with some immaculate hitting, helping the hosts chase down the 186-run target with six balls to spare.
This marked Qalandars’ third win in six matches. For the Sultans – four-time finalists this decade – it was their fifth defeat in six outings. The result leaves Multan with an uphill task to keep their play-off hopes alive. They must now win all four of their remaining matches – against Quetta Gladiators (April 29 and May 11), Karachi Kings (May 1) and Peshawar Zalmi (May 6).
Mitchell, who was on 19 when Raza joined him at the crease, was dismissed just two runs short of victory after a masterful 64 off 38 balls, featuring four fours and four sixes. Raza matched Mitchell stroke for stroke, remaining unbeaten on 40 from just 21 deliveries, including two fours and four sixes.
Earlier, Fakhar Zaman (28) and Abdullah Shafique (34) gave Qalandars a solid start, putting on 33 runs off 26 balls for the second wicket. Abdullah then added 49 off 31 balls for the third wicket with Mitchell before Ubaid struck twice in the 12th over – removing Abdullah, caught behind, and then dismissing Sam Billings for a duck – leaving Qalandars teetering at 95 for four, still needing 91 from 49 balls.
From there, Mitchell and Raza launched a stunning counterattack: 14 runs came in the 13th over, 11 in the 14th, 18 in the 15th, 9 in the 16th and 12 in the 17th. The match was sealed in the 18th over, when they took 16 off Ubaid Shah’s final over. He finished with figures of 4-0-34-2.
Earlier, Multan Sultans accelerated impressively in the second half of their innings, scoring 105 runs in the last 10 overs, including 69 in the final five, to post a competitive 185 for three on a surface offering assistance to fast bowlers.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. Kamran Ghulam supported him with a blistering 52 not out off 31 deliveries, featuring two fours and four sixes. The pair shared a 115-run unbroken stand for the fourth wicket off just 59 balls, after Multan had slumped to 70 for three in the 11th over.
Earlier in the innings, opener Yasir Khan contributed 24, while Usman Khan and Shai Hope chipped in with 18 and 9, respectively.
Scores in brief:
16th HBL PSL 2025 match – Lahore Qalandars beat Multan Sultans by five wickets
Multan Sultans 185-3, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 76 not out, Kamran Ghulam 52 not out, Yasir Khan 24)
Lahore Qalandars 186-5, 19 overs (Daryl Mitchell 64, Sikandar Raza 40 not out, Abdullah Shafique 34, Fakhar Zaman 28; Ubaid Shah 2-34)
Player of the match – Daryl Mitchell (Lahore Qalandars)
