LAHORE – Multan Sultans found themselves in deep trouble yet again as Quetta Gladiators, led by Khurram Shahzad’s fiery opening spell, dismantled them in a one-sided contest during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season.
Multan, struggling with just one win in six matches and desperate to stay alive in the tournament, were left reeling after Khurram struck twice in the opening overs, and never recovered. The Gladiators, riding a wave of momentum with two consecutive wins, capitalized fully, bundling out the Sultans for just 89 runs.
The modest target was chased down in just 6.5 overs without the loss of a wicket. Captain Saud Shakeel smashed 42 off 20 balls, while New Zealand’s Finn Allen hammered 45 off 21, propelling Quetta to second in the standings.
Khurram’s Opening Spell Sets the Tone
On a lively pitch made from Western Australian soil, Quetta’s pace attack took full advantage of the bounce. Khurram (4-23) struck with his very first delivery, removing Yasir Khan. He dismissed Usman Khan just three balls later, then returned to claim Kamran Ghulam and Curtis Campher in quick succession, leaving Multan at a dismal 20-4 by the fourth over.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan tried to anchor the innings but received little support. Faheem Ashraf, fresh off a five-wicket haul against Peshawar Zalmi, chipped in with two early wickets. Michael Bracewell’s edge to the keeper left the Sultans six down by the 10th over with just 47 on the board.
A Brief Flicker of Resistance
David Willey and Usama Mir offered a slight push — the latter hitting the team’s first six in the 14th over — but both were soon dismissed. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 44 off 44 balls, managing just four boundaries and one six. Quetta’s Mohammad Wasim wrapped up the innings by dismissing Ubaid Shah on the final ball of the 17th over.
Clinical Chase by Quetta
Chasing 90, Quetta started cautiously, scoring just eight runs off the first two overs. But once settled, Allen and Saud unleashed a brutal assault. Allen hit two sixes and a four off Willey in the third over, while Saud took apart Hasnain and Ubaid Shah in the following overs.
By the end of the powerplay, Quetta were cruising at 74-0. Allen sealed the game in the seventh over with back-to-back sixes, completing a dominant 10-wicket victory.
Match Summary
Multan Sultans: 89 all out (17 overs)
- Mohammad Rizwan 44*
- Khurram Shahzad 4-23
- Faheem Ashraf 2-21
- Mohammad Wasim 2-18
Quetta Gladiators: 90-0 (6.5 overs)
- Finn Allen 45*
- Saud Shakeel 42*
Result: Quetta Gladiators won by 10 wickets
Player of the Match: Khurram Shahzad
Points Table (Top Teams):
- Islamabad United – 5 wins from 5 matches (10 points, NRR: +2.342)
- Quetta Gladiators – 4 wins from 6 matches (8 points, NRR: +1.034)
- Lahore Qalandars – 3 wins from 6 matches (6 points, NRR: +0.543)
- Karachi Kings – 3 wins from 6 matches (6 points, NRR: -0.217)
- Peshawar Zalmi – 2 wins from 6 matches (4 points, NRR: -0.847)
- Multan Sultans – 1 win from 7 matches (2 points, NRR: -2.355)
