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LAHORE: Sahibzada Farhan produced a match-winning century of pure class and power, guiding Multan Sultans to a commanding six-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a high-scoring HBL Pakistan Super League encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Chasing a daunting 226, the Sultans romped home with eight balls to spare, finishing at 227-4 with eight balls to spare as with Sahibzada remained unbeaten on 106 off 57 balls.
The chase began under lights with dew already making its presence felt, turning the surface into a batting paradise.
Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana opened the bowling for the Kingsmen, but Sahibzada and Steven Smith got the innings off to a solid if measured start.
Smith, in particular, looked in ominous touch, smashing a quickfire 46 off 20 balls laced with three sixes and a four. The opening stand swelled to 104 in just over eight overs before Hassan Khan induced a miscued loft from Smith that Irfan Khan Niazi pouched safely at long-on.
Sahibzada, however, remained anchored. Having reached his seventh PSL fifty earlier, he accelerated seamlessly. Boundaries flowed off his bat — elegant drives, powerful pulls and audacious sweeps — as the required run-rate stayed comfortably under control. By the time the strategic break arrived, the Sultans were cruising at over 13 runs an over.
The middle order provided brief support with Josh Philippe perishing for nine as her holed out to Marnus Labuschagne off Saim Ayub’s spin.
Shan Masood, promoted to number four, added a brisk 29 off 16, including two sixes, before Saim struck again, this time finding Hassan at deep square-leg. Ashton Turner’s brief stay ended on four when Theekshana’s arm ball took the outside edge to wicket-keeper Usman Khan.
Yet none of these dismissals dented the momentum. Sahibzada continued to dominate, reaching his second PSL century in the 18th over with a trademark flick past mid-on and raising his bat, acknowledging his team-mates’ applause as they rushed to congratulate him.
Arafat Minhas provided explosive finishing with an unbeaten 26 off 11 balls, including three fours and a six, ensuring there were no late jitters.
The Sultans’ power-hitting was clinical. They struck 18 sixes in total during the chase, capitalising on any width or length offered by the Kingsmen attack. Dew played a significant role, making grip difficult for the spinners and pacers alike.
Theekshana returned figures of 1-38, while Riley Meredith and Mohammad Ali struggled to stem the flow despite occasional yorkers. Saim picked up two wickets but leaked 43 runs in three overs. Labuschagne and Maaz Sadaqat were expensive in their short spells.
Earlier, the Kingsmen had posted a formidable 225-5 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Their innings was built on aggressive starts and cameos rather than a single dominant knock. Openers Saim (27) and Maaz provided a flying platform with a 59-run stand in 5.1 overs.
Maaz, in particular, was destructive, smashing 62 off just 26 balls — including five sixes — in what many observers called one of the most explosive fifties of the season so far. Labuschagne (eight) and Usman (25 off 12) came and went quickly.
The real momentum shift came when Sharjeel Khan walked in at number five. The veteran left-hander played with freedom, remaining unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls. He found able support from Syed Saad Ali (23) and Irfan (22 not out).
A remarkable 30-run over from Shehzad Gul in the 17th, featuring two no-balls and multiple boundaries, pushed the Kingsmen past 200.
Peter Siddle and Mohammad Wasim Jr were the most successful bowlers for the Sultans, claiming a wicket apiece, though economy rates suffered across the board on a flat track.
Gaddafi Stadium lived up to its reputation as a batting-friendly venue under lights. The short boundaries and true bounce allowed batters from both sides to play with confidence. Dew, however, tilted the balance firmly in favour of the side batting second — a factor that Kingsmen captain Labuschagne might reflect on later.
Sahibzada’s unbeaten 106 was the cornerstone of the Sultans’ success. His ability to rotate strike early and then unleash big shots when needed underscored why he has been one of the most consistent openers in T20 cricket.
The knock contained seven fours and seven sixes, showcasing both timing and raw power. At the other end, Arafat’s late flourish ensured the target was overhauled with ease.
For the Kingsmen, their third defeat in a row will sting despite a competitive total. Their bowling lacked the penetration needed to defend such a score once dew set in.
Maaz’s blistering knock and Sharjeel’s mature innings were highlights, but the absence of a genuine death-over specialist proved costly. The victory keeps the Sultans firmly in contention in the early stages of the league, while the Kingsmen will need to regroup quickly.
Scoreboard
HYDERABAD KINGSMEN:
Saim Ayub c&b Siddle27
Maaz Sadaqat c Shehzad b Nawaz62
Marnus Labuschagne c Smith b Turner8
Usman Khan c Shehzad b Wasim25
Sharjeel Khan not out51
Syed Saad Ali b Wasim23
Irfan Khan not out22
EXTRAS (NB-2, W-5)7
TOTAL (for five wickets, 20 overs)225
DID NOT BAT: Hassan Khan, Maheesh Theekshana, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Ali
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-59 (Saim), 2-85 (Labuschagne), 3-104 (Maaz), 4-127 (Usman), 5-171 (Saad)
BOWLING: Shehzad 4-0-60-0 (2nb), Turner 3-0-28-1 (1w), Siddle 4-0-39-1 (2w), Wasim 4-0-37-2 (1w), Momin 3-0-39-0, Nawaz 2-0-22-1 (1w)
MULTAN SULTANS:
Sahibzada Farhan not out106
Steven Smith c Irfan b Hassan46
Josh Philippe c Labuschagne b Saim9
Shan Masood c Hassan b Saim29
Ashton Turner c Usman b Theekshana4
Arafat Minhas not out26
EXTRAS (NB-1, W-6)7
TOTAL (for four wickets, 18.4 overs)227
DID NOT BAT: Mohammad Nawaz, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim, Shehzad Gul, Momin Qamar
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-104 (Smith), 2-120 (Philippe), 3-165 (Shan), 4-190 (Turner)
BOWLING: Theekshana 4-0-38-1 (1w), Meredith 3-0-40-0 (1w), Saim 3-0-43-2 (2w), Hassan 2-0-25-1, Ali 3.4-0-39-0 (1w), Labuschagne 2-0-32-0 (1nb), Maaz 1-0-10-0 (1w)
RESULT: Multan Sultans won by six wickets.
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Sahibzada Farhan
Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2026
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