Multan Sultans Ease Past Quetta Gladiators in Comfortable Run Chase

Multan Sultans returned to the top of the table in the HBL Pakistan Super League 11 after securing a six-wicket victory over the Quetta Gladiators on April 5, 2026. The win, achieved in the 13th match of the tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, saw Multan chase down a target of 167 with ease.

The victory marks a recovery for the Sultans following their first defeat of the season. The result was driven by a dominant batting performance and a disciplined bowling effort that utilized spin to restrict the Gladiators.

Sultans’ Dominant Chase

Multan Sultans reached 167 for 4, completing the chase in 17.3 overs. The innings was headlined by Steven Smith, who scored 53 off 35 balls, marking his maiden PSL half-century.

The chase began aggressively with Steven Smith and Sahibzada Farhan scoring 63 runs within the first four overs. The pair reached a 50-run partnership in just 3.2 overs, putting the Gladiators under immediate pressure.

By the end of the powerplay, Multan Sultans had reached 83 for 1. This performance equaled the team’s record for the most runs scored in the first six overs of the current edition, a mark previously set against the Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Following the powerplay, the Sultans shifted to a more measured approach, focusing on singles and doubles to maintain the momentum. Shan Masood provided stability in the middle order, finishing the match unbeaten with 46 runs from 30 balls.

The top-four batting order played critical roles in the victory:

• Sahibzada Farhan: 32 runs off 14 balls
• Steven Smith: 53 runs off 35 balls
• Josh Philippe: 18 runs off 15 balls
• Shan Masood: 46* runs off 30 balls

The only significant disruption in the chase occurred when Smith was dismissed following a relay catch between Saqib Khan and Rilee Rossouw at the square leg boundary. Saqib Khan was playing as a replacement for the injured Ahmed Daniyal.

Spin Strategy Restricts Quetta

Quetta Gladiators posted a total of 166 for 7 in their 20 overs. The Sultans’ bowling strategy focused heavily on spin, bowling 16 overs of spin on a pitch that had previously seen high scores of 184 and 198 chased in a single day on April 2, 2026.

Mohammad Nawaz was the standout performer for the Sultans, taking 3 wickets for 30 runs. Arafat Minhas also contributed significantly with figures of 2 for 14.

For the Quetta Gladiators, captain Saud Shakeel top-scored with 56 runs from 41 balls. He received support from Bevon Jacobs, who remained unbeaten with 49 runs off 31 balls.

Despite the individual efforts of Shakeel and Jacobs, Quetta struggled to maintain a higher scoring rate against the Sultans’ spin attack. Hasan Nawaz attempted to stem the flow of runs during the chase, taking 2 for 17 from his two overs.

The strategic use of spin from both ends after field restrictions were lifted proved effective, as Multan Sultans targeted Quetta’s susceptibility to turn to keep the total manageable.