LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by 20 runs in a reduced-over thriller in the 11th match of the Pakistan Super League at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. A total of 350 runs were scored in 26 overs for the loss of 10 wickets.

Qalandars made Sultans rue their decision to field first by blasting their way to 185 for five in a 13-over-per-side contest. The innings was highlighted by the aggression of opener Mohammad Naeem, who struck four fours and four sixes in a 28-ball 60.

Parvez Hossain Emon also had an enjoyable outing, hitting two fours and five sixes in a 19-ball 45. Together, Naeem and Emon put on a blistering 86 for the first wicket off just 31 balls. Naeem then added 58 off 25 balls for the second wicket with Abdullah Shafique, who hit three fours and two sixes in a 14-ball 33.

The Sultans struggled in the field — their bowlers were smacked to all parts of the ground and their performance was further marred by unforced errors, misfields and dropped catches.

Mohammad Ismail was their most successful bowler with two for 47, while Mohammad Nawaz and Arafat Minhas conceded 22 and 19 runs respectively in their single-over spells.

Chasing 186, Multan managed only 27 for two in their 3.5 overs of PowerPlay, allowing the required rate to climb sharply and shifting the pressure onto the lower order.

Despite being behind the game throughout, the Sultans finished at 165 for five on the back of punishing knocks from captain Ashton Turner and Shan Masood.

Turner top-scored with an unbeaten 22-ball 52 featuring two fours and five sixes, while Shan scored 44 off 18 balls with seven fours and a six. Arafat Minhas also chipped in with a breezy 25 off 11 balls in the final stages.

For Lahore, Mustafizur Rahman picked up two for 37, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Ubaid Shah and Sikandar Raza took one wicket each.

This was Qalandars’ second win in three matches, while Sultans suffered their first defeat in three. Karachi Kings remain top of the table with three wins from three.

Scores in brief:

Match 11 – Lahore Qalandars beat Multan Sultans by 20 runs

LAHORE QALANDARS 185-5, 13 overs (Mohammad Naeem 60, Parvez Hossain Emon 45, Abdullah Shafique 33; Mohammad Ismail 2-47)

MULTAN SULTANS 165-5, 13 overs (Ashton Turner 52 not out, Shan Masood 44, Sahibzada Farhan 25, Arafat Minhas 25; Mustafizur Rehman 2-37)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Mohammad Naeem (Lahore Qalandars)

SATURDAY’S FIXTURE: Islamabad United vs Rawalpindiz