Steven Smith fifty puts Multan Sultans on brink of playoffs

Multan Sultans moved to the verge of qualification with a controlled six-wicket win over Rawalpindiz, chasing down 167 with authority. The result was shaped by Steven Smith’s fluent half-century and Ashton Turner’s composed finish, as Multan Sultans tightened their grip on a playoff place.

Rawalpindiz posted 166 for 4, with Daryl Mitchell finishing unbeaten on 58 and Dian Forrester adding 37 not out, but the total never quite stretched a disciplined Sultans side.

Rawalpindiz stumble before late recovery

Opting to bat first, Rawalpindiz endured a sluggish start that set the tone for their innings. They crawled to just 19 runs in the first five overs while losing two wickets, with Mohammad Rizwan struggling for fluency during his 26 off 29 balls before being stumped off Arafat Minhas.

The innings only gathered momentum late. Mitchell, who had faced difficulties earlier in the tournament, anchored the recovery with a steady unbeaten 58 off 46 balls. He was joined by Forrester, who accelerated sharply with 37 off 15, as Rawalpindiz added 61 runs in the final five overs to reach 166 for 4.

While the late surge gave them something to defend, the earlier slowdown meant the total remained within reach on what was described as a flat surface.

Smith drives Sultans’ chase

Multan Sultans ensured there was no repeat of that slow start. Steven Smith took charge in the powerplay, countering early pressure with attacking intent. After finding boundaries against Ben Sears, he broke the game open in the ninth over, striking a boundary and three consecutive sixes to bring the required rate down sharply.

Smith’s acceleration was decisive. He reached his half-century in just 27 balls, maintaining control of the chase while others rotated around him. Even when Sahibzada Farhan fell early and Mohammad Amir delivered tight spells, Smith ensured the innings never drifted.

His dismissal, along with Josh Philippe’s shortly after, offered Rawalpindiz a brief opening, but the chase was already firmly in Sultans’ control.

Turner ensures calm finish

With the equation still requiring composure, Shan Masood and Ashton Turner absorbed pressure before the latter shifted gears. Turner targeted Amir in the 17th over, striking three boundaries to reduce the requirement to 14 off 18 balls.

Masood fell before the end, but Turner remained composed to guide Sultans home. The winning runs came via a leg-side wide that drifted away for two, underlining a campaign that has often slipped away from Rawalpindiz in crucial moments.

What this result means

This victory places Multan Sultans firmly on the cusp of playoff qualification, strengthening their position in second place. The chase, led by Steven Smith’s 56 and closed out by Ashton Turner’s unbeaten 37, highlighted their control in pressure situations.

For Rawalpindiz, an eighth successive defeat leaves them without momentum, with their campaign continuing to be defined by missed opportunities despite late flashes of resistance.

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