For all the noise around the PSL trying to close the gap with the IPL, performances like this at least give the league something to hold on to. Steve Smith, playing his first Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, delivered his most complete knock yet, scoring a fluent 53 off 35 balls to guide Multan Sultans to a six-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in Lahore.
The chase of 167 never really looked in doubt once Smith settled and the result pushed Multan to the top of the table with three wins in four matches. Opening the wicket alongside Sahibzada Farhan (32 off 14), Smith took down a great Quetta bowling attack.
Smith-Sahibzada takes Sultans ahead
Smith and Sahibzada Farhan came out with a point to prove, adding 63 in just four overs and effectively finishing the contest inside the powerplay. By the sixth over, Multan had raced to 83 for 1, matching their own record for the highest powerplay score this season.
Smith set the tone early, taking on Tom Curran for four boundaries in a single over. He was quite brilliant in a format he has a vision for. By the time he fell to a sharp relay catch involving Rilee Rossouw and Saqib Khan, the job was already done.
Multan’s all-round game clicks
Shan Masood ensured there were no late stumbles, finishing unbeaten on 46 as Multan closed the chase with 15 balls to spare. It was a straightforward finish, built on the platform Smith had created.
Earlier, Multan’s win was set up by their spinners. On a surface that had recently produced high scores, they went heavily spin-dominated and got it spot on. Mohammad Nawaz picked up 3 for 30, while Arafat Minhas returned 2 for 14. Ashton Turner also chipped in, using himself smartly to control. In fact, he opened the bowling.
Quetta never quite recovered from the early squeeze. Saud Shakeel’s 56 kept them afloat, and late hitting from Bevon Jacobs (49* off 31) lifted them to 166 for 7, but it always felt below par.
| Match | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|
| vs QTG | Apr 5 | 53 (35) |
| vs LHQ | Apr 3 | 9 (10) |
| vs HHK | Apr 1 | 46 (20) |
| vs ISU | Mar 28 | 31 (23) |
He now has 139 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 157.95, placing him among the top run-scorers this season.
Cricket
India squad for Sri Lanka Tests to be picked this week: Bumrah, Jadeja to return, Washington Sundar doubtful
