Minhas All-Round Show Seals Multan Win

Arafat Minhas delivered a decisive all-round performance to help Multan Region secure a narrow three-run victory over Lahore Blues in the National T20 Cup 2026 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on Tuesday.

Multan posted a strong total before holding off a late surge from Lahore Blues to win a closely contested match.

Multan recover after early setbacks

Multan opted to bat first but their innings began on a shaky note as openers Muhammad Naeem and captain Imam-ul-Haq were dismissed early.

Naeem scored 12 from seven balls, including a four and a six, before falling to Muhammad Salman. Imam-ul-Haq soon followed after making 13 from 11 deliveries with two boundaries, dismissed by Shahid Aziz. The early wickets left Multan struggling at 28 for 2 in 3.3 overs.

Moheer Saeed was the next to depart, dismissed by Nisar Ahmed for 12 from 10 balls, including a six, as Multan slipped further inside the powerplay.

Bismillah Khan and Muhammad Shahzad then steadied the innings by adding a valuable 44-run partnership.

Khan’s resistance ended when he was caught off the bowling of Muhammad Rizwan after scoring 27 from 23 deliveries, including two fours and a six, leaving Multan at 93 for 4 in 11.5 overs.

Shahzad and Minhas accelerate scoring

Muhammad Shahzad and Arafat Minhas lifted the scoring rate with an important 54-run partnership.

Shahzad reached a well-made half-century before Muhammad Rizwan struck again to dismiss him for 54 from 40 balls. His innings included three fours and four sixes.

Minhas then added a quick 35 from just 17 deliveries, striking two fours and two sixes, before also falling to Rizwan with the score at 160 for 6 in 18 overs.

Late hitting from Waseem Akram and Amir Yamin powered Multan to a competitive total. The pair added 40 runs in the final two overs.

Waseem remained unbeaten on 17 from seven balls with three fours, while Yamin smashed 24 from only six deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.

Multan finished with a total of 201.

For Lahore Blues, Muhammad Rizwan was the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 39 in four overs. Nisar Ahmed, Shahid Aziz and Muhammad Salman claimed one wicket each.

Lahore Blues fall just short in chase

Chasing 201, Lahore Blues mounted a strong response but eventually finished on 197 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Opener Umar Siddique Khan played a superb innings of 91 from 51 deliveries, hitting 13 fours and three sixes.

Ali Razzaq added momentum late in the innings with 45 from 26 balls, including two fours and four sixes. Imran Butt also contributed with 20 from 15 deliveries.

However, Multan’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs to secure a tight victory.

Arafat Minhas and Sirajuddin took two wickets each, while Amir Yamin and Moheer Saeed picked up one wicket apiece.

The three-run win gave Multan a memorable victory in the ongoing National T20 Cup 2026 clash in Peshawar.

Check out the result of Match 7 of the National T20 Cup

Source: https://www.pcb.com.pk/