PSL 11: Multan Sultans win toss against Peshawar Zalmi

KARACHI: Multan Sultans have won the toss and have decided to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Monday.

Head to Head

Both teams have faced each other 16 times. Multan Sultans lead with 11 wins, while Zalmi have managed five wins.

Matches: 16 Multan Sultans: 11 Peshawar Zalmi: 5

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Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana

Multan Sultans XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Ashton Turner (capt), Shan Masood, Josh Philippe (wk), Muhammad Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Peter Siddle, Muhammad Waseem Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, Faisal Akram

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Sahibzada Farhan released from Multan Sultans squad

KARACHI: Multan Sultans have granted opening batter Sahibzada Farhan a short break from the squad ahead of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Peshawar Zalmi, scheduled to be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on April 13.

According to the franchise, the decision has been taken as part of their internal workload and rest policy, which allows players to take time off during breaks in the tournament to recover physically and mentally.

A spokesperson for the Sultans said the move aligns with the team’s broader approach under owner Gohar Shah and head coach Tim Paine, who have emphasised player welfare and balanced workload management throughout the season.

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“As per the policy, players are given complete freedom to relax and spend personal time during rest periods,” the spokesperson stated.

The management believes the system helps players remain mentally fresh and better prepared for high-intensity matches.

Along with Sahibzada Farhan, batting coach Sohaib Maqsood has also been released from the squad for a short period under the same policy.

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Notably, Farhan has been one of the standout performers in PSL 11 so far, emerging as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

The right-hander has accumulated 232 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 58.00 and a strike rate of 181.25, including a century and a half-century.

The opener’s form has been a key factor in Multan’s strong campaign so far, with the side currently sitting at the top of the table. Led by Ashton Turner, the Sultans have won four of their five matches, collecting eight points with a healthy net run-rate of 0.941.

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Steve Smith hails Sahibzada Farhan as key to Multan Sultans’ strong start in PSL 11

Multan Sultans batter Steve Smith has praised opening partner Sahibzada Farhan for his consistent performances and growing influence at the top of the order in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Farhan has been one of the standout performers of the season so far, sitting second on the run-scoring charts with 164 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 154.66.

A strong opening combination between Smith and Farhan has played a major role in Multan Sultans’ rise to the top of the points table, with the pair delivering consistent starts across the campaign.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Reflecting on their partnership after a convincing win over Quetta Gladiators, Smith highlighted the growing understanding between the two at the top of the order.

“My combination with Farhan has become quite strong. Our starts have been good. Farhan is a quality player,” Smith said during a post-match interaction with teammate Peter Siddle.

The duo have already produced significant opening stands this season, including a 104-run partnership while chasing 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen and a 71-run stand in the win over Quetta Gladiators, setting the platform for successful chases.

Steve Smith also praised the team’s all-round performance, particularly highlighting the impact of the bowling unit in restricting opposition totals.

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“The spin bowling was very good. First, Mohammad Nawaz bowled well, and then Arafat Minhas produced an extraordinary spell. Our captain also bowled well. The opposition could have scored over 160, but we managed to restrict them and then chased the target well,” he noted.

In addition, Smith lauded the contributions of Multan Sultans vice-captain Shan Masood, praising his composed batting and leadership qualities.

“Shan is getting better with every game. He has immense power in his shots. He waits for the right ball and it was a good chase,” Smith added.

READ: Rawalpindiz suffer major blow as Naseem Shah ruled out of PSL 11

Mohammad Naeem helps Lahore Qalandars thump Multan Sultans

LAHORE: A blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem propelled Lahore Qalandars to a commanding victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

In a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to persistent rain, the Qalandars produced a batting masterclass to post a daunting 185-5 after being put into bat by Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The defending champions came out all guns blazing, with Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack in a breathtaking opening stand. The duo racked up 86 runs in just five overs, setting the tone for a massive total.

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Emon was eventually dismissed for a fiery 45 off 19 deliveries, but Naeem continued the onslaught, anchoring the innings with a rapid 60 off 28 balls, laced with boundaries and clean hitting.

He found further support in Abdullah Shafique, who chipped in with a quickfire 33, as the Qalandars maintained their aggressive tempo.

Despite a couple of late breakthroughs, Lahore finished strongly, thanks to Sikandar Raza (13*), who ensured the total remained well beyond par in a shortened contest.

In reply, Multan Sultans struggled to keep pace despite a spirited effort. Early setbacks saw Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) depart cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot.

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A counter-attacking knock from Shan Masood briefly revived hopes, as he struck a brisk 44 off 18 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 24. However, regular wickets prevented the Sultans from building sustained momentum.

Captain Turner led from the front with an unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries and shared a fighting stand with Arafat Minhas, but the required rate proved too steep in the end as the Sultans finished on 165-5.

The defeat marked Multan’s first loss of the season, dropping them to third on the table, while Lahore Qalandars climbed to second with their second win.

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PSL 11: Toss of Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans delayed

LAHORE: The toss for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans has been delayed due to persistent rain at Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

The new-look Sultans kicked off their PSL 11 campaign with a dominant five-wicket victory over Islamabad United, courtesy of the brilliant batting efforts of Josh Philippe (55) and Turner (43*).

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In their second match of the season, Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten 106 to help the Sultans chase down a 226-run target against Hyderabad Kingsmen.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the fifth position with one win and one loss.

They commenced their title defence with a thumping 69-run victory over the Kingsmen, thanks to a combined team effort. However, they suffered a four-wicket defeat against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second match.

SQUADS

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl, Shahab Khan

Multan Sultans: Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, Atizaz Habib Khan

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PSL 11: Weather forecast for Lahore Qalandars-Multan Sultans clash

LAHORE: The upcoming match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans is likely to be affected by weather concerns here on Friday.

A light drizzle had already set in by the evening, forcing ground staff to swiftly cover the pitch and outfield at the LCCA Ground as a precautionary measure, raising concerns over a potential delay or interruption.

According to weather forecasts, conditions in Lahore remain far from ideal for cricket. At around 6:00 PM local time, thunderstorms were reported with temperatures hovering at 19°C but feeling closer to 15°C due to the wind chill.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Winds from the south-west, coupled with high humidity levels touching 85%, have added to the discomfort, while over 12 mm of rainfall has already been recorded.

Visibility has also been significantly reduced, with dense cloud cover and a low ceiling contributing to gloomy playing conditions. Air quality remains unhealthy, further compounding the challenges for players and officials.

While a slight improvement is expected by 7:00 PM, with rainfall predicted to ease and temperatures dipping marginally, the overall outlook still suggests unstable weather.

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Cloud cover is set to remain heavy, and visibility is unlikely to improve substantially, keeping the possibility of interruptions alive.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the mid-table with one win and one loss.

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Sahibzada Farhan powers Multan Sultans to victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen

LAHORE: Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten century to guide Multan Sultans to a commanding six-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a high-scoring encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting 226-run target, the Sultans produced a clinical batting display, reaching the target with eight balls to spare and four wickets in hand.

Farhan was the architect of the remarkable chase, remaining unbeaten on a scintillating 106 off just 57 deliveries. His innings, laced with eight sixes and seven fours, ensured the Sultans stayed ahead throughout the run-chase.

He found solid support at the top from Steve Smith, who scored a fluent 46, while vice-captain Shan Masood added a valuable 29.

Farhan then stitched an unbroken 37-run stand with Arafat Minhas, who played a quickfire cameo of 26 off 11 balls to seal the win in style

Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted an imposing 225-5 after being put into bat, riding on aggressive contributions from their top order.

The opening pair of Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat provided a flying start, adding 59 runs in the first five overs before Peter Siddle broke the stand by dismissing the former for 27.

Sadaqat continued his impressive form, hammering a rapid 62 off 26 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes, before falling to Mohammad Nawaz.

Veteran Sharjeel Khan then anchored the latter half of the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, ensuring the Kingsmen posted a formidable total.

Notably, this was the third defeat for the Hyderabad Kingsmen, whereas Multan Sultans are sitting at the top of the PSL 11 points table with two victories in as many games.

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PSL 11: Hyderabad Kingsmen win toss against Multan Sultans

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen have won the toss and decided to bat first against Multan Sultans in the eighth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. 

Playing XIs

Multan Sultans: Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Shan Masood (vc), Josh Philippe (wk), Ashton Turner (c), Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shehzad Gul, Peter Siddle, Momin Qamar.

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Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Sharjeel Khan, Saad Ali, Usman Khan (wk), Marnus Labuschagne (c), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan (vc), Mohammad Ali, Riley Meredith, Maheesh Theekshana.

Philippe, Turner power Multan Sultans to clinical win over Islamabad United

LAHORE: A composed chase led by Josh Philippe and captain Ashton Turner guided Multan Sultans to a convincing five-wicket victory over Islamabad United in the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 172, the 2021 champions showed control throughout the innings, reaching the target with eight balls to spare despite a shaky start.

Multan’s pursuit got off to a stuttering beginning when Sahibzada Farhan fell early for just three, leaving the side at 16-1.

However, Philippe steadied the innings alongside Steve Smith, with the pair stitching together a brisk 45-run stand to revive the chase.

Smith, making his PSL debut, looked in fine touch with a fluent 31 off 23 deliveries before Salman Irshad broke the partnership.

The Sultans then suffered another setback as Shadab Khan dismissed Shan Masood cheaply, momentarily shifting momentum back towards United.

Philippe, however, continued to anchor the innings and found an able partner in Turner. The duo added a crucial 61 runs for the fourth wicket, effectively taking the game away from United.

Philippe’s aggressive 55 off 35 deliveries, featuring five fours and two sixes, laid the foundation before he was eventually dismissed by Shadab in the 15th over.

Arafat Minhas then chipped in with a quickfire 25 off 11 balls, ensuring there were no late hiccups. Meanwhile, skipper Turner remained unbeaten on 43 off 28 deliveries, calmly steering his side over the line.

Earlier, Islamabad United posted 171-8 after being asked to bat first, with Mark Chapman top-scoring with a brisk 40 off 21 balls.

United’s innings began on a positive note as Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas added 48 runs for the opening wicket. Conway made 26 before falling to Peter Siddle, while Sameer contributed 28.

However, a middle-order collapse saw United slip from a strong position to 75-3, with quick wickets derailing their progress.

Chapman attempted to rebuild with brief partnerships alongside Shadab and Haider Ali, but lacked sustained support.

Late cameo from Faheem Ashraf (26 off 17) helped push the total to a competitive 171.

For Multan, Momin Qamar was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for 24 runs, while Mohammad Wasim Jr picked up two scalps.

READ: “Staying calm was the key”: Hasan Ali on his spell against Quetta Gladiators

Multan Sultans appoint Shan Masood as vice-captain for PSL 11

Multan Sultans have named Shan Masood as captain for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The outfit announced the news on social media handles with a video featuring Masood.

“Your Vice Captain – Shaan Masood. Back where he belongs,” the caption of the post read.

Pakistan Test captain Masood previously led the franchise in 2020, winning six out of 12 games and losing four, with a win percentage of 50.

 

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Under his leadership, Multan Sultans missed out on the trophy, losing to Peshawar Zalmi in the final by 47 runs.

Meanwhile, the 2021 winners will be led by Australian all-rounder Ashton Turner.

Turner a seasoned middle-order batter and five-time Big Bash League (BBL) champion has established himself as a T20 specialist across multiple global leagues, including the BBL, Men’s The Hundred, IPL, SA20, and the CPL.

Turner previously played for Multan Sultans in the last PSL season, appearing in three matches and scoring 15 runs.

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He now succeeds Mohammad Rizwan, who captained the Sultans in 58 matches, winning 33 and losing 25, with a win percentage of 56.89%.

Rizwan notably led the team to their maiden PSL title in 2021, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final. However, in PSL 11, Rizwan will be leading the new PSL franchise Pindiz.

Notably, the revival of Multan Sultans for PSL 11 comes after a series of last-minute franchise changes.

The original Sultans franchise was acquired by the Walee Group and rebranded as Pindiz, initially raising doubts about the team’s participation.

However, on March 3, the PSL franchise formerly known as Sialkot Stallionz was rebranded as Multan Sultans following a majority takeover by CD Ventures.

Gohar Shah, CEO of CD Ventures, acquired the majority stake from OZ Developers, who had purchased the franchise for PKR 1.85 billion, raising the franchise’s annual valuation to PKR 2 billion.

Multan Sultans Squad for PSL 11:

Ashton Turner (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Shan Masood, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ismail and Atizaz Habib Khan.