LAHORE – Multan Sultans strengthened their position as early favourites in the Pakistan Super League 2026 with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday night. Chasing 183 to win, Sultans reached their target in just 16.2 overs, finishing on 186 for 3 with 22 balls to spare.
The win boosts Multan’s position at the top of the points table, while Rawalpindiz remain winless this season. All three departments — bowling, top-order batting, and middle-order finishing — clicked for the Sultans, who notched their fourth win in five matches.
Akram’s Spin Masterclass
Left-arm wristspinner Faisal Akram was the star with the ball, taking four wickets for 31 runs. His clever variations broke the heart of Rawalpindiz’s middle order and made scoring difficult. Among his victims were Kamran Ghulam (35) and Daryl Mitchell (17), leaving Rawalpindiz struggling at 94 for 5.
Rawalpindiz found some late resistance from Sam Billings, who remained unbeaten on 56 off 34 balls, and Dian Forrester, who scored 24 with three sixes. However, the total of 182 proved insufficient against a strong Multan side.
Farhan and Philippe Dominate Chase
Sultans lost Steven Smith early for 5, but that did not stop them. Sahibzada Farhan and Josh Philippe put together a brilliant 110-run partnership for the second wicket, turning the game in their favour.
Farhan scored a fast 68 off 38 balls, hitting boundaries and sixes with ease, while Philippe contributed 56 off 30 balls. Their aggressive batting kept the required run rate low and allowed the team to dominate the chase.
After Philippe was dismissed by Mohammad Amir in the 11th over, Shan Masood and skipper Ashton Turner guided the team home. Masood remained unbeaten on 27 off 15 balls, and Turner finished with 26 not out off 10 deliveries, sealing the win comfortably.
Clinical Performance Across Departments
The victory was built on excellent bowling and smart batting. Early breakthroughs by Mohammad Ismail and Arafat Minhas had put Rawalpindiz under pressure, and Akram’s spin in the middle overs ensured they could not build partnerships.
For Rawalpindiz, the loss adds to a challenging season. They have now played four matches without a win and sit near the bottom of the points table. Multan Sultans, on the other hand, lead with a strong net run rate and look well-positioned for the rest of the tournament.
Chasing Advantage
The match also highlighted the advantage for teams chasing totals this season. Rawalpindiz will need to rethink their batting and bowling strategies if they hope to turn their campaign around.
Looking Ahead
Multan’s next match is set to be played in Karachi. With Farhan and Philippe in great form and Akram continuing to take wickets, the Sultans look likely to remain one of the strongest teams in PSL 2026.
Scoreboard
Rawalpindiz:
- Kamran Ghulam b Faisal Akram 35
- Daryl Mitchell lbw b Faisal Akram 17
- Sam Billings not out 56
- Dian Forrester c&b Faisal Akram 24
- Extras: 50
- Total: 182 (20 overs)
Multan Sultans:
- Steven Smith c sub b Mohammad Ali 5
- Sahibzada Farhan c Mohammad Ali b Haris Rauf 68
- Josh Philippe c sub b Mohammad Amir 56
- Shan Masood not out 27
- Ashton Turner not out 26
- Extras: 4
- Total: 186/3 (16.2 overs)
Result: Multan Sultans won by 7 wickets
Analysis: A Complete Performance
Multan Sultans’ victory over Rawalpindiz was their most complete performance of the season. Faisal Akram’s four-wicket haul demonstrated the value of quality spin in the middle overs, while Sahibzada Farhan and Josh Philippe’s aggressive batting showed that the Sultans have the firepower to chase down any total.
The 110-run partnership between Farhan and Philippe was the turning point of the match. Coming together after the early loss of Steven Smith, the duo attacked from the outset, not allowing Rawalpindiz’s bowlers to settle. Farhan’s 68 off 38 balls was particularly destructive, with the right-hander finding the boundary with regularity.
For Rawalpindiz, the loss extends their winless start to the tournament. Despite Sam Billings’ unbeaten 56, they lacked the bowling firepower to defend their total. The absence of a frontline spinner was evident, as Multan’s batters attacked the medium-pace options with impunity.
As the tournament progresses, Multan Sultans have established themselves as the team to beat. With four wins in five matches, they sit atop the points table and look well-positioned for a deep playoff run. Rawalpindiz, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their season.
