Multan Sultans defend 208 as Karachi Kings fall short at 196; Minhas and Siddle shine in last-over finish

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Multan Sultans held their composure under intense pressure to secure an 11-run victory over Karachi Kings in a high-scoring Pakistan Super League clash at the National Stadium in Karachi. Defending a formidable total of 208, Sultans restricted Kings to 196, despite a late onslaught from Abbas Afridi and Hasan Ali.

The win strengthens Multan Sultans’ playoff hopes as they climb to second place on the points table with 10 points, while Karachi Kings continue to struggle, suffering their fourth consecutive defeat.

Karachi Kings looked out of contention when captain Ashton Turner dismissed Moeen Ali in the 15th over, leaving them needing 79 runs off 35 balls with half their side back in the pavilion. However, Abbas Afridi reignited hopes with an explosive 34 off 16 balls, launching a counterattack that included consecutive big hits against the spinners.

Hasan Ali provided strong support with a quickfire 23 off just 10 deliveries, smashing a six early in his innings and capitalizing on a dropped chance. The duo brought the equation down to 23 runs required off the final two overs, raising the possibility of a dramatic chase.

Veteran pacer Peter Siddle then delivered a match-defining over, conceding just five runs and dismissing Abbas Afridi with a clever change of pace. In the final over, Sultans sealed the win by running out Hasan Ali as he attempted to retain strike, ending Karachi’s hopes.

Earlier, the pitch—prepared with Australian soil—proved ideal for batting. Multan Sultans capitalized on the conditions with impactful contributions throughout their innings. Josh Philippe scored a brisk 44 off 23 balls, while Shan Masood added 46 off 25, targeting the spinners effectively.

A late flourish from Mohammad Imran, who smashed 26 off just eight balls, including 21 runs in the final over bowled by Hasan Ali, propelled Sultans past the 200-run mark.

Karachi Kings’ chase was anchored by Reeza Hendricks (49 off 32) and Moeen Ali (27 off 23), who stitched together a 67-run partnership. However, their scoring rate lagged behind the required run rate, leaving too much for the lower order.

Arafat Minhas played a crucial role with the ball for Sultans, picking up 3 for 32 and delivering key breakthroughs during the powerplay. Peter Siddle supported well with 2 for 28, using his experience effectively in the death overs.

Despite a valiant late fight from Abbas Afridi and Hasan Ali, Karachi Kings ultimately fell short, as Multan Sultans showcased composure and execution under pressure to clinch a crucial victory in the tournament.