Struggling Sultans aim for comeback in PSL must-win encounter

LAHORE: The 20th match of Pakistan Super League 2025 will see bottom-placed Multan Sultans host Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday (Today) as the tournament enters its crucial final stage.

The Sultans’ campaign has reached crisis point with just one win from seven matches, leaving them anchored to the bottom of the PSL table. Their most recent outing resulted in a humiliating defeat to Quetta Gladiators, where they were bundled out for just 89 runs — the second-lowest total in PSL history — before watching helplessly as Quetta chased down the target without losing a wicket in just 6.5 overs. This catastrophic loss has all but ended their playoff hopes, leaving them playing for pride in their remaining fixtures.

The Kings find themselves in a heated battle for playoff qualification after a narrow 5-run defeat to Quetta Gladiators in their previous match. This setback marked their second loss in three games, putting additional pressure on David Warner’s side to regain momentum as the tournament enters its business end. With the playoff race intensifying, the Kings cannot afford further slip-ups against the struggling Sultans.

Mohammad Rizwan and Usama Mir have played a crucial role for Multan Sultans. Rizwan, their captain has been fighting a lone battle for the Sultans, evidenced by his unbeaten 44 off 44 balls in the previous match when no other batsman besides Usama Mir reached double figures. Rizwan has accumulated 186 runs in five games, though his strike rate of 102 suggests he’s had to temper his natural aggression due to regular collapses around him.

In Karachi Kings lineup, James Vince, the English batsman has been in sensational form, amassing 186 runs in five games at an impressive strike rate of 172, including a century.

His ability to dominate bowling attacks makes him the linchpin of Karachi’s batting lineup. Hasan Ali, the experienced pacer has been outstanding with the ball, taking 10 wickets in five matches with a best of 4/28. His skill with both the new ball and at the death gives Karachi a significant edge in the bowling department.

The match will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, traditionally known for producing high-scoring encounters. Teams batting first typically aim for scores exceeding 180. Weather conditions are expected to be favorable with clear skies and temperatures around 26 degrees Celsius.

Multan Sultans hold a slight edge in the head-to-head record, having won 7 of the 12 previous encounters against Karachi Kings. However, Karachi has had the upper hand recently, winning 3 of the last 5 meetings between these sides.