Lahore Qalandars Defend Home Turf in 13-Over Rain-Shortened PSL 11 Blitz Against Multan Sultans

LAHORE — In a rain-curtailed thriller that pushed the boundaries of T20 power-hitting, Lahore Qalandars successfully defended their home turf at the Gaddafi Stadium. They overcame a strong Multan Sultans by 20 runs in an 11th match of PSL 11.

The evening began under heavy grey skies, with a torrential downpour threatening to wash out the much-anticipated encounter. However, the relentless efforts of the ground staff ensured that the fans were treated to a 13-over-per-side shootout. When the coin fell in favor of Multan Sultans’ skipper Ashton Turner, who opted to field first.

Lahore’s openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Mohammad Naeem, walked out with a clear aggression. Naeem dismantled the Sultans’ pace attack and cleared the boundary with ease. His 60-run blitz came off just 28 deliveries, featuring five towering sixes. 

Emon contributed a rapid 45 off 19 balls, and with it, Lahore posted a massive 185/5 in 13 overs. From Multan Peter Siddle remained consistent with 1/26 in 3 overs, while Muhammad Ismail picked 2 wickets for 47 in 3 overs. 

The Sultans' chase began with a stutter. Early wickets left the Sultans reeling at 28/2 in powerplay. However, Shan Masood and captain Ashton Turner ignited a late-inning surge. Masood’s 44 off 18 balls was a masterclass in calculated hitting, while Turner (52 off 22) remained unbeaten. 

Multan ended their valiant effort at 165/5, falling 20 runs short of the target. While the scoreboard reflected a loss, the Sultans’ resilience in the face of a record-breaking target earned them immense respect. For Lahore, the victory provides a massive boost to their net run rate and cements their position as title contenders.

Mohammad Naeem was rightfully named Player of the Match for his tone-setting half-century.