Farhan and Philippe Lead Multan Sultans to Comfortable Victory Over Rawalpindi
By Sadia Khan :
Sahibzada Farhan and Josh Philippe struck impressive half-centuries as Multan Sultans secured a seven-wicket win over Rawalpindi in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League season 11 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a target of 183, the Sultans reached the total with ease, losing only three wickets and finishing the match with 22 balls remaining.
The run chase began on a shaky note when Mohammad Amir removed opener Steve Smith for five in the second over, leaving Multan at 12 for one. However, Farhan and Philippe quickly turned the momentum in their team’s favour with a dominant second-wicket partnership.
The pair added 110 runs in quick time, both reaching their half-centuries during the stand. Philippe scored a brisk 56 from 30 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, before Amir deceived him with a slower delivery in the 12th over to break the partnership.
Farhan continued to attack and finished as the top scorer with 68 from 36 balls, striking four boundaries and five sixes before he was bowled by Mohammad Amir Khan.
After the two set batters departed in quick succession, captain Ashton Turner and vice-captain Shan Masood calmly guided the side to victory. The pair shared an unbeaten 47-run stand and completed the chase in the 17th over. Masood remained not out on 27 from 15 deliveries, while Turner contributed an unbeaten 26 from just 10 balls.
For Rawalpindi, Mohammad Amir was the most effective bowler, taking two wickets for 32 runs in his three overs, while Amir Khan claimed one dismissal.
Earlier, Rawalpindi posted 182 for eight in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Their innings began cautiously when opener Yasir Khan was dismissed for five in the third over by Muhammad Ismail.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam steadied the innings with a 33-run partnership before Rizwan was dismissed for 19 by Arafat Minhas. Ghulam then added useful runs with Abdullah Fazal and Daryl Mitchell but was eventually out for 35 from 24 balls, an innings that included three fours and two sixes.
In the later stages, Sam Billings provided a strong finish with an unbeaten 56 from 34 deliveries, striking seven fours and a six. He was supported by Dian Forrester, who contributed a quick 24 from 11 balls with three sixes.
Faisal Akram led Multan’s bowling effort with figures of four for 31 in his four overs. Arafat Minhas took two wickets, while Peter Siddle and Muhammad Ismail claimed one each as the Sultans restricted Rawalpindi to a total that ultimately proved insufficient.
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