That's all the PSL action for today, folks. Thank you for staying with us. With every team having now completed their opening match, the season is officially in full swing. Be sure to join us again tomorrow for another double-header. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub, alongside our scorers Ranjith P and Thilak Ramamurthy, pulling the curtains down in the commentary box. See you then!
Ashton Turner: "[During the toss, you said you just wanted to get a game in] Yeah, you're right. Before the match, I asked the side to play with confidence, but it can be difficult. We're a newly established side; we have some history, but there are a lot of new faces, so there's not a lot of evidence to allow us to play with that confidence yet. Now we've got a win under our belt. T20 is a game of momentum, and hopefully we can grab that and run with it. [Team work] We actually had quite a few quality contributions across the order. Momin is exciting; he's a young player with so much potential. There were a few tough selection calls as well because we've got many quality cricketers who didn't get opportunities tonight. It's pleasing that the guys who did get the nod were able to contribute and get us over the line. [Match-winning moment] I would probably throw a blanket over the whole PSL; it's an exciting competition to be part of. You can feel the anticipation from the public. All the teams are really well supported, but in particular, we're feeling that support for Multan. It's a great tournament to be part of. Everyone is happy and smiling while we're winning, and long may that continue."
Shadab Khan: "I think we were 15 to 20 runs short of the par score, but it is the first game. We didn't get the momentum, and when we needed it, we lost wickets back-to-back. Well, he was brave enough to bowl on that length, so credit to him as well. The learning point for us is not to give away consecutive wickets. [Failed to build up big partnerships] Definitely. Our top four got set, but they didn't go long. That is the part we missed, but it is the first game and hopefully we'll learn from this. [Philippe and Turner's partnership turned the game] Definitely. Experience matters in how they play. The condition was not that easy, but the way they played, especially the running between the wickets, was a standout. They did so well because on a good ball they were taking singles and doubles, and on a bad ball they were punishing us as well."
Player of the Match: Momin Qamar
Shadow-Shell: "I guess Arafat won the sibling rivalry for today"
ShahSafeer: "Turner knows how to win tournaments, doesn't he?"
10:42 pm It turned out to be a calm and well-planned chase from the Sultans, making sure both teams batting second in Lahore's double-header ended up on the winning side. Smith had a slice of luck early on when Shadab put down a tough chance in just the second over, but Farhan couldn't take advantage at the other end, handing a simple catch to mid-off off Imad Wasim in the very next over. From there, Smith and Philippe shifted gears quickly. They went after the bowlers, especially in the fourth over, which disappeared for 21 runs, including three big sixes. Although Gleeson and Irshad pulled things back nicely towards the end of the powerplay, the Sultans still managed a healthy 49 in the first six overs. As has often been the case this PSL season, things slowed down once the field spread out. The scoring rate dipped and wickets started to fall, with Smith departing for 31 in the eighth over. Turner and Philippe then took on the responsibility of rebuilding the innings, mixing caution with the occasional boundary to keep things under control against the spinners. Philippe, in particular, stood out on his PSL debut, scoring a well-struck 55 from 35 balls. Late in the innings, Arafat added some quick runs with a lively 25 off just 11 deliveries, giving the chase a timely push. Turner, meanwhile, stayed composed throughout and finished unbeaten on 43 to guide his side home. For United, Irshad and Shadab were the most effective with the ball, picking up two wickets each, but it wasn't quite enough to stop a disciplined Sultans chase. Post Match Presentation is coming up soon.
Multan Sultans won by 5 wickets
Scores Level
Gleeson to bowl now. 3 needed off 12.
END OF OVER:18 | 8 Runs 1 Wkt | MS: 169/5 (3 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.38, RRR: 1.50)
- Ashton Turner42 (27b)
- Mohammad Nawaz2 (2b)
- Salman Irshad4-0-28-2
- Salman Mirza3-0-49-0
Mohammad Nawaz is the new batter in at number 7
Arafat Minhas c Chapman b Salman Irshad 25 (13m 11b 4x4 1x6) SR: 227.27
END OF OVER:17 | 17 Runs | MS: 161/4 (11 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.47, RRR: 3.66)
- Arafat Minhas25 (10b)
- Ashton Turner36 (24b)
- Salman Mirza3-0-49-0
- Richard Gleeson3-0-22-0