Two HBL PSL ties to be rescheduled

Express Tribune

27-04-2025

Multan Sultans are at the bottom of the table having lost five out of six matches they have played this season in the HBL PSL 10. Photo: PCB
The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 schedule has likely been revised following a request from the tournament's broadcasters, resulting in changes to two matches that were originally scheduled to take place in Multan.
The match between Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings, initially set for May 1, will now be held on May 6 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Similarly, the encounter between Sultans and Quetta Gladiators, originally planned for May 10, has been moved to May 11. Both matches will now be played as night fixtures under lights.
Reports suggest that these changes were made at the request of the broadcasters, who faced logistical challenges. The PSL management has cooperated by adjusting the schedule accordingly.
One possible reason for the rescheduling could be the expulsion of 23 members from the HBL PSL broadcasting team, following the rise in diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and India.
Although there were discussions about moving the matches from Multan to Lahore, the venue has remained unchanged, with only the dates and timings adjusted.
Multan Cricket Stadium will continue to host the games as originally planned.
As for the ongoing tournament, three-time PSL champions Islamabad United are currently at the top of the points table, having won all five of their matches, with 10 points.
Two-time champions Lahore Qalandars are in second place, with three wins and three defeats from six games, earning 6 points. Karachi Kings are in third, tied with Lahore Qalandars in terms of wins and defeats, but with a lower net run rate of -0.217.
Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators occupy the fourth and fifth spots, each with two wins and 4 points. Multan Sultans are at the bottom of the table, with one win and five losses from six matches, securing just 2 points.
It is worth mentioning here that Daryl Mitchell delivered a match-winning performance as Lahore Qalandars secured a five-wicket victory over bottom-placed Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday in the ongoing PSL 10.
Chasing a competitive target of 186, the Qalandars reached the finish line with one over to spare, earning their third win of the season.
Lahore had a shaky start as opener Mohammad Naeem fell early to Josh Little with only 12 runs on the board. Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique then added 33 runs before Fakhar was dismissed by Mohammad Hasnain after the powerplay. Fakhar scored a handy 28 off 22 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Shafique continued to build the innings and formed a 49-run stand with Daryl Mitchell. However, Multan's Ubaid Shah struck twice in one over, removing Shafique for 34 and Sam Billings for a duck, pushing Qalandars to 95/4 in 12 overs.
From there, Mitchell and Sikandar Raza took control. The pair counterattacked brilliantly, adding 89 runs for the fifth wicket. Mitchell played a classy knock of 64 runs off 38 balls, smashing four fours and four sixes, before being dismissed in the 19th over.
Raza stayed unbeaten on 40 from just 21 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes to guide Lahore to victory.
For Multan, Ubaid Shah was the most effective bowler with two wickets. Hasnain, Akif Javed, and Josh Little claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Multan Sultans posted 185/3 after being put in to bat. Their innings was powered by a 115-run unbeaten partnership between captain Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam.
Yasir Khan gave the team an early boost with 24 off 18 balls, but Qalandars' bowlers kept things tight in the middle overs. Rizwan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 76 off 48 deliveries, hitting six boundaries and three sixes. Ghulam supported well with 52* off 31, striking two fours and four sixes.
For Lahore, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Curran, and Haris Rauf each picked up a wicket.
With this win, Qalandars moved a step closer to playoff contention, while the Sultans continue to struggle at the bottom of the table.