Lahore Qalandars Beat Multan Sultans Riding on Iman-Mustafiz Brilliance

Bangladeshi opener Parvez Hossain Emon finally returned to form in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In a rain-shortened match reduced to 13 overs, he launched a fierce assault on the Multan Sultans bowlers, guiding Lahore Qalandars to a convincing victory. After Emon’s explosive batting, Mustafizur Rahman’s controlled bowling ensured a 20-run win for Lahore.

After losing the toss at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Qalandars got off to a flying start with the bat. Putting behind his failures in the first two matches, Emon looked in sublime touch. He began his onslaught in the fourth over, smashing Mohammad Nawaz for two sixes and a four. In the following over, he hit Faisal Akram for three consecutive sixes off the first three deliveries. The left-hander played a whirlwind knock of 45 runs off just 19 balls, featuring 5 sixes and 2 fours at a strike rate of 236.84, narrowly missing out on a fifty.

Even after Emon’s departure, Mohammad Naim continued the aggression from the other end. He scored a brilliant 60 off 28 balls, hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes. Abdullah Shafique added 33 off 14 balls, while Sikandar Raza remained unbeaten on 13 off 8 balls. Riding on these contributions, Lahore posted a massive 188 for 3 in 13 overs.

Chasing a daunting target of 189, Multan got off to a strong start through openers Sahibzada Farhan and Shan Masood. However, Bangladesh’s “cutter master” Mustafizur Rahman broke the dangerous partnership, dismissing Farhan (24) when the team score was 50. Later, when Masood was threatening to take the game away with a solid 44, Mustafiz trapped him LBW.

Mustafizur conceded 37 runs in his 3 overs but picked up 2 crucial wickets, effectively breaking the backbone of Multan’s batting lineup. Towards the end, captain Ashton Turner played a fighting unbeaten knock of 52 off 22 balls, including 5 sixes, but it only reduced the margin of defeat. Multan Sultans finished on 165 for 5 in their 13 overs.

Brief Scores:

Lahore Qalandars: 188/3 (13 overs); Naim 60, Emon 45, Shafique 33.

Multan Sultans: 165/5 (13 overs); Turner 52*, Masood 44; Mustafizur 2/37.

Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 20 runs.