PSL 10: Mitchell leads Lahore Qalandars to five-wicket win over Multan Sultans

LAHORE: Daryl Mitchell delivered a standout performance, hammering a fiery half-century after a key bowling spell to guide Lahore Qalandars to a five-wicket win over Multan Sultans in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Qalandars comfortably chased a challenging 186-run target down with five wickets in hand and six balls remaining.

The home side faced an early setback when opener Mohammad Naeem departed for just six runs, dismissed by Josh Little in the second over with only 12 runs on the board.

Recovering from the early blow, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique added 33 runs for the second wicket before Mohammad Hasnain removed Fakhar immediately after the powerplay. Fakhar contributed 28 off 22 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes.

Abdullah then partnered with Daryl Mitchell for a 49-run stand to keep Qalandars’ chase on track. However, Ubaid Shah jolted the hosts with two quick wickets, dismissing Shafique and Sam Billings — the latter for a three-ball duck — in a crucial 12th over.

Shafique’s innings featured two fours and two sixes in his 34 runs from 25 balls.

At 95/4 in 12 overs, Qalandars were under pressure but Mitchell and Sikandar Raza turned the game around with a blistering 89-run partnership for the fifth wicket, putting the hosts within touching distance of victory.

Mitchell top-scored for Qalandars with a sparkling 64 from 38 balls, laced with four fours and four sixes, before falling in the penultimate over.

Raza, meanwhile, stayed unbeaten, steering his side home with a fiery 40 off just 21 deliveries, including two fours and four sixes.

For Sultans, Ubaid Shah stood out with two wickets, while Mohammad Hasnain, Akif Javed, and Josh Little chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, skipper Mohammad Rizwan led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten knock while Kamran Ghulam provided strong support as Multan Sultans posted a competitive 185/3 against Lahore Qalandars.

The visitors made a cautious start before opener Yasir Khan injected some momentum, smashing a six and a four before falling to a sharp delivery that ended the opening stand.

Yasir contributed a quick 24 off 18 balls, hitting three boundaries and a maximum.

Rizwan then stitched two small partnerships — first with Usman Khan and then with Shai Hope — who chipped in with 18 off 14 and nine off nine balls, respectively.

With the scoreboard at 70/3 in 10.1 overs, Kamran Ghulam joined Rizwan at the crease, and the pair stabilised the innings with a composed and aggressive unbeaten 115-run stand.

Rizwan top-scored with an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls, featuring six boundaries and three sixes, while Ghulam supported brilliantly with a 31-ball 52 not out, which included two fours and four sixes.

For Qalandars, Tom Curran, Haris and Daryl Mitchell could pick up a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars decided to field first after winning toss against Multan Sultans.

Squads

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Daryl Mitchell (all platinum), Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza and Kusal Perera (all diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan and Zaman Khan (all gold), David Wiese, Asif Ali, Asif Afridi, Muhammad Akhlaq and Rishad Hossain (all silver), Momin Qamar and Momin Azab (both emerging), Muhammad Naeem, Salman Ali Mirza and Tom Curran (all supplementary).

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan, Usama Mir and Michael Bracewell (all platinum), David Willey, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Khan (all diamond), Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hasnain (all gold), Faisal Akram, Akif Javed, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little and Tayyab Tahir (all silver), Shahid Aziz and Ubaid Shah (both emerging), Muhammad Amir Barki, Ashton Turner and Yasir Khan (all supplementary).