Smith and Turner Power Sultans to Victory Over Rawalpindiz

 

The National Bank Stadium in Karachi was the stage for a thrilling night encounter as the Multan Sultans secured a clinical 6-wicket victory over the Rawalpindiz. Electing to bat first, the Pindiz posted a competitive 166/4, anchored by a steady 58 from Daryl Mitchell and a late-inning explosion by Dian Forrester, who smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 15 balls. Despite the late surge, the Sultans' bowling unit—led by disciplined spells from Mohammad Imran and Arafat Minhas—kept the target within reach on a balanced Karachi surface.

Multan’s chase was a masterclass in calculated aggression, reaching the target of 167 with 8 balls to spare. The innings was defined by a blistering half-century from Steve Smith, whose 56 off 31 deliveries (including 5 fours and 3 sixes) laid a solid foundation. Captain Ashton Turner then stepped in to finish the job, playing a composed yet brisk knock of 37 off 21 balls*, ensuring there were no late hiccups. The Rawalpindiz bowlers, despite a valiant two-wicket effort from Asif Afridi, struggled to contain the Sultans' depth in the middle overs.

This win marks another crucial step for the Sultans as they continue their march toward the PSL 11 playoffs with high momentum. For the debutants Rawalpindiz, it was a night of "what ifs," as they showed flashes of brilliance with the bat but couldn't quite find the breakthroughs needed to stall an in-form Multan batting lineup. As the tournament moves closer to the final group stages, the Sultans look increasingly like the team to beat, while the Pindiz will need to regroup quickly for their upcoming clash against Islamabad.