Lahore (Sports News):: An unbeaten 151-run opening partnership between Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza powered Invincibles to a 10-wicket win over Conquerors in the 20th fixture of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2025-26 on Friday. In the second match, Strikers defeated Challengers by eight wickets at Ghani Glass Cricket Ground courtesy a three-wicket haul by Nashra Sundhu.At Bagh-e-Jinnah, Conquerors who needed a win to qualify for the final, posted 150 for seven in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first. Yusra Amir top-scored with an unbeaten 64 off 44 balls, striking six fours and a six, while Samiya Afsar contributed 32 off 19 balls, hitting five fours.For Invincibles, Mahnoor Zaib claimed three wickets, while Noreen Yaqoob picked up two wickets.In reply, Invincibles achieved the target without losing a wicket in 15.1 overs.Right-handed batter Gull Feroza scored an unbeaten 76 off 43 balls, which included 14 fours. Captain Muneeba Ali registered her fourth half-century of the tournament, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 49 balls, laced with 11 fours.In the second fixture of the day, Challengers after opting to bat first were bowled out for 93 in 18 overs against Strikers. Captain Diana Baig top-scored with 25 off 27 balls, hitting two fours.Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu returned figures of three for 17 in four overs, while Rabia Rani, Tasmia Rubab and Zaib-un-Nisa claimed two wickets each.In reply, Strikers chased down the target in 9.5 overs. Saira Jabeen top-scored with an 18-ball 36, which included four fours and two sixes, while Sadaf Shamas made 34 off 21 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.Syeda Masooma Zehra picked up two wickets for the losing side.Diana Baig-led Challengers finished at the bottom of the points table with one point. The third-place play-off between Conquerors and Strikers will be played at the LCCA Ground on Saturday, 11 April with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 10am.Scores in brief:Match 19 – Strikers beat Challengers by eight wickets at Bagh-e-Jinnah, LahoreChallengers 93 all out, 18 overs (Diana Baig 25, Natalia Pervaiz 24; Nashra Sundhu 3-17, Tasmia Rubab 2-12, Rabia Rani 2-22, Zaib-un-Nisa 2-22)Strikers 97-2, 9.5 overs (Saira Jabeen 36 not out, Sadaf Shamas 34, Areesha Ansari 22 not out; Syeda Masooma Zehra 2-24)Player of the match – Nashra Sundhu (Strikers)Match 20 – Invincibles beat Conquerors by 10 wickets at Ghani Glass Cricket Ground, LahoreConquerors 150-7, 20 overs (Yusra Amir 64 not out, Samiya Afsar 32; Mahnoor Zaib 3-17, Noreen Yaqoob 2-19)Invincibles 151-0, 15.1 overs (Gull Feroza 76 not out, Muneeba Ali 72 not out).

Islamabad (faisal): The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) announced the visit of global tennis icon Mr. Björn Borg to Pakistan during the ITF Men’s Futures Tennis Tournament series scheduled from 26 April to 10 May 2026 at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.The tournaments will feature more than 200 international players from around the world, making it one of the most significant international tennis events ever hosted in Pakistan.Björn Borg is one of the most influential figures in tennis history. He dominated the sport during the 1970s and early 1980s, was ranked World No. 1 for 109 weeks, and won 11 Grand Slam titles, including six French Open and five consecutive Wimbledon championships. Widely regarded as a global sporting icon before the era of Federer and Nadal, his visit is considered a great honor for Pakistan tennis.This landmark visit follows earlier high-profile sporting visits, including boxing legend Mohammad Ali. It is expected that Borg’s visit will rank among the most significant international sports celebrity visits to Pakistan.His visit, along with his family (wife and two sons), is expected to significantly enhance the international profile of tennis in Pakistan and inspire young players across the country.Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, stated that the Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, is doing commendable work in strengthening the country’s international standing by facilitating mediation efforts between Iran and the USA to help avoid a major global conflict, and that the tennis fraternity highly appreciates these peace efforts, adding that as a result of these initiatives, top global political dignitaries and international personalities are visiting Pakistan, reflecting the country’s growing importance on the world stage.He further stated that, in the field of sports, he and the Pakistan Tennis Federation are making every possible effort to project a positive image of Pakistan internationally. He added that the increasing visits of international sports personalities are a testament to the Federation’s successful efforts in promoting tennis and positioning Pakistan as a safe and attractive destination for international sporting events.Qureshi added that the visit of Mr. Björn Borg will be a great boost for Pakistan’s international image as well as for the development and promotion of tennis in the country.Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail Secretary General of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, , along with the PTF management, expressed their delight over the visit of the tennis legend and assured that every possible effort will be made to ensure the success of his visit and the smooth conduct of the event.

 Lahore (Sports News): :Zimbabwe women’s team will embark on their maiden tour of Pakistan to feature in a six-match white-ball series, the PCB announced today. The series comprises three ODIs and three T20Is.All six matches will be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, with Zimbabwe set to arrive in Karachi on Wednesday, 29 April.The three ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29. Pakistan are currently placed fifth with two points after featuring in one away series – three ODIs against South Africa in February/March this year. The ODIs will be played on 3,6 and 9 May, with the first ball of each match scheduled to be bowled at 3.30pm.The T20I series will follow the ODI series and will be played at the same venue on 12, 14 and 15 May. The first ball in the T20Is will be bowled at 7.30pm.The T20I series will help the national side finalise their preparations ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July. Prior to the ICC event, Pakistan women’s team will feature in a T20I tri-nation event in Ireland, which will also include hosts Ireland and West Indies, with matches scheduled from 28 May to 4 June.

 Karachi (Sports News): Peshawar Zalmi crushed Karachi Kings by a record 159 runs in Match 17 of HBL Pakistan Super League 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night, riding on Kusal Mendis' record-breaking century and a combined bowling effort to skittle Karachi for 87 in 16.1 overs.The result lifted Peshawar Zalmi to second in the standings with seven points from four matches and a net run-rate of 2.87, while Karachi Kings slipped to fourth.Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to register a century in HBL PSL - a sparkling 109 off 52 balls including 14 fours and four sixes and also shared a 191-run second-wicket stand with captain Babar Azam — the highest partnership for any wicket in HBL PSL.The duo surpassed the previous mark of 176 set by Babar and Sharjeel Khan for Karachi Kings against Islamabad United in 2021.Babar finished unbeaten on 87 from 51 deliveries with 10 fours and two sixes, while Abdul Samad provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 40 from just 12 balls including three fours and four sixes to lift Peshawar to a daunting 246 for three – their highest-ever total in HBL PSL, highest-ever team total at the National Bank Stadium and the sixth-highest in the league.In reply, Karachi never recovered from a disastrous start. Iftikhar Ahmed (2.1-0-9-3), the hero of Peshawar's last-ball thriller against Hyderabad Kingsmen last night, struck on the third ball of the chase to dismiss Muhammad Waseem for naught. Shoriful Islam (3-1-23-1) removed David Warner for zero in the very next over and Iftikhar struck again in the third over to trap Salman Ali Agha leg-before-wicket.At eight for three, the chase was already in tatters and Karachi’s middle order offered little resistance. Saad Baig flashed three boundaries in his 14 from 11 balls before falling to a Nahid Rana bouncer in the seventh over while Moeen Ali made nine from eight before holing out to Abdul Samad off Sufyan Moqim in the ninth.Azam Khan offered the only meaningful resistance with 25 from 27 balls including a six off Shoriful but he too was bowled by Sufyan in the 11th over with Karachi reeling at 65 for five.Sufyan (4-0-18-3) and Nahid (4-1-7-3) then ran through the lower order with Khushdil Shah (10, 14b, 1x4) edging Nahid behind for 10 and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (9) caught at long-on off Sufyan (4-0-18-3).Adam Zampa was bowled by Rana for a duck in the double-wicket maiden 14th over and the rout was completed in the 17th over when Iftikhar had Mohammad Hamza Sohail stumped by Mendis.Earlier in the day, Karachi captain David Warner had won the toss and elected to bowl first.Mendis, however, took apart Mir Hamza in the second over with back-to-back sixes to plunder 17 runs.Khushdil (4-0-37-1) had earlier provided the perfect start by removing Mohammad Haris on the second ball of the match for a duck caught by Salman at long-on but Babar joined Mendis in dismantling Karachi’s attack with a 15-run fourth over off Khushdil.Babar also brought up his 12,000 runs in T20 cricket; fastest to achieve the feat (338 innings) surpassing Chris Gayle (345 innings) and the just the second Pakistan batter to achieve the feat.Peshawar reached 66 for one at the end of the powerplay before continuing to accelerate. Mendis brought up his half-century off 25 balls in the eighth over with a clip through deep extra cover and raced to his maiden HBL PSL hundred in the 15th over working Adam Zampa around the corner to bring up the milestone off just 48 deliveries.The record-breaking partnership eventually ended at 191 when Mendis holed out to Haroon Arshad off Abbas in the 17th over for 109. Abbas struck again three balls later dismissing Michael Bracewell (6, 3b, 1x6) caught behind by Azam.Samad walked in and immediately took the attack to Karachi, hammering Abbas for three consecutive sixes in the penultimate over before Mir Hamza was taken to cleaners for 19 in the final over including two more maximums by Samad as the unbeaten 12-ball cameo took Peshawar past 240.Abbas (4-0-55-2) picked up the two of three Peshawar wickets to fall.Scores in brief:Peshawar Zalmi 246-3, 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 109, Babar Azam 87, Abdul Samad 40 not out; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-55)Karachi Kings 87 all out, 16.1 overs (Azam Khan 25; Nahid Rana 3-7, Iftikhar Ahmed 3-9; Sufyan Moqim 3-18)Player of the match: Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi)Friday’s fixture: Quetta Gladiators v Rawalpindiz at National Bank Stadium, Karachi; 7pm PKT

Karachi (PCB Report)::Islamabad United brushed aside defending champions Lahore Qalandars by nine wickets in Match 16 of HBL Pakistan Super League 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday afternoon.Chasing a meagre 101, Islamabad got home with 58 balls to spare and nine wickets remaining – the second largest win in terms of balls remaining and fourth largest in HBL PSL history.The result lifted Shadab Khan's side to second in the standings with seven points from five matches and a net run-rate in excess of two, while the reigning champions slipped further down after a tough outing in which they were bundled out for 100 in 18.3 overs and then offered little resistance with the ball.Devon Conway anchored the chase with an unbeaten 59 off 35 deliveries hitting seven fours and three sixes, while Mohammad Faiq made 34 not out from 19 balls aided by six fours including the winning boundary as the pair shared an unbroken 93-run stand off just 49 deliveries to seal the win in the 11th over.In pursuit of 101, Islamabad got off to a brisk start before Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-0-22-1) provided Lahore a much-needed breakthrough in the third over, removing the in-form Sameer Minhas for five with a full delivery outside off that was sliced to Ubaid Shah at deep third.Conway, however, took charge from the other end, flicking Shaheen twice over the leg-side as Islamabad raced to 51 in the powerplay.The left-hander brought up his 56th T20 half-century in style off Sikandar Raza in the 10th over with a slog-swept six over midwicket, before leveling the scores with a boundary through the covers.Faiq, equally fluent at the other end, ended the contest in the very next over, whipping Ryan Burl flat through the deep midwicket region.Earlier, having been put in to bat, Lahore's innings derailed almost from the very first over. Imad Wasim (4-0-13-2) struck on the second ball of the match, removing Mohammad Naeem for a golden duck caught by Sameer Minhas.Haseebullah offered brief resistance with 19 from 22 balls hitting two fours, but Imad returned to dismiss Abdullah Shafique for 10 in the fifth over. Skipper Shadab Khan (4-0-18-2) then picked up Rubin Hermann for four to reduce the reigning champions to 41 for four inside nine overs.Sikandar Raza then chipped in 25 from 19 balls including three boundaries and attempted to rebuild alongside Asif Ali (15, 12b, 1x4, 1x6), but their stand was broken by Shadab in the 13th over before player of the match Chris Green (4-0-19-3) returned to remove Ryan Burl caught and bowled in the 14th over to leave Lahore reeling at 76 for six.Shaheen scored 9 off 19 balls, while the lower order's resistance was finally ended by Richard Gleeson (3-0-13-2), who picked up Haris Rauf and Ubaid Shah in the 18th over. Faheem Ashraf then removed Shaheen to wrap up the innings for the lowest HBL PSL team total recorded at the National Bank Stadium as Lahore lost their last six wickets for 28 runs.Scores in brief:Lahore Qalandars 100 all out, 18.3 overs (Sikandar Raza 25, Haseebullah 19; Chris Green 3-19, Imad Wasim 2-13, Richard Gleeson 2-13, Shadab Khan 2-18)Islamabad United 104-1, 10.2 overs (Devon Conway 59 not out, Mohammad Faiq 34 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-22)Player of the match: Chris Green (Islamabad United)

Reoort: Ahmed YousafPakistan made a sizzling start to their FIFA Series campaign with a record-breaking 8-0 victory over the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Thursday.Four goals by four different scorers in the first half time the tone for Adeel Rizki’s side before two more players got their names on the scoresheet as Pakistan surpassed their previous-best victory — 7-0 against the Maldives in September 2022.Pakistan made their attacking intent clear from the very beginning when Mariam Mahmood, fresh from winning the Welsh league title with Wrexham Women, struck the side netting with a shot from an acute angle inside the first four minutes. After Nadia Khan tested Turks and Caicos goalkeeper Archenie Desir with a shot from long range, Pakistan opened the scoring in the 10th minute with Zahmena Malik finding the back of the net. It was 2-0 two minutes later, Aqsa Mushtaq slotting in after a rebound after Mariam had forced a save from Desir.Pakistan continued to press with midfield metronome Layla Banaras showing her quality when she made it 3-0 with a weaving run and smart finish just past the half hour mark.In a game where Pakistan had pinned their opponents in the opposing half for almost the entirety of the match, Mariam got on the scoresheet in the 38th when she expertly volleyed in a cross at the back post.Pakistan continued in the same vein in the second half, Nadia planting a perfect header to a cross from the left in the 56th to make it 5-0.Aqsa scored a pearler to make it 6-0 in the 76th before Layla also got her second with a perfectly-placed shot from outside the box. Isra Khan’s goal in the 81st completed the record-breaking triumph.PFF president Mohsen Gilani hailed the historic win. “I congratulate the players and the coaching staff for creating history. This is the start of a new era for women’s football in Pakistan and I hope the team continues in the same vein in the FIFA series.”

Islamabad (Sports News): The FIFA Team One cohort includes 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials, who hail from all six confederations and 50 Member Associations, in what is the most comprehensive line-up of match officials in FIFA World Cup™ history. The appointments were made on the basis of FIFA’s long-standing “quality first” principle, while consideration was given to the consistency of the performances delivered by candidates at FIFA tournaments, as well as in international and domestic competitions in recent years.Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer and chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, said: “The selected match officials are the very best in the world. They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years. They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments. In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed. The selected officials have received, and will continue to receive, comprehensive support from our fitness coaches and medical staff, including physiotherapists and a mental specialist. Our goal is to ensure that they’re in optimal physical and mental condition when they arrive in Miami on 31 May.”“This year’s FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be contested across the most extensive geographical footprint in the tournament’s history,” Collina continued. “It’ll be the largest FIFA Team One ever, with 41 more match officials than at Qatar 2022. Each of them must be ready to be appointed for a match and to contribute actively to ensuring that the refereeing at the World Cup is a success. The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing.”During the tournament, the match officials will train on a daily basis, with the sessions to feature the participation of local players. Collina commented: “As has been the case at FIFA tournaments in the past, our match analysts will provide the match officials with all the information they need to prepare properly for their games. We’ll leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our match officials are fully prepared, and we’re confident that FIFA Team One will meet the challenges that lie ahead at this groundbreaking competition.”“As at previous World Cups, technology will play an important role in supporting match officials in their decision-making. Goal-line technology, an advanced version of semi-automated offside technology and connected ball technology will be used, while for the first time in World Cup history, fans will be able to see things from the referee’s on-field perspective thanks to the use of new technologies,” Collina concluded.FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca said: “The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 began immediately after the conclusion of Qatar 2022, with a structured programme involving seminars, workshops and continuous monitoring. Throughout this period, all candidates were closely evaluated by FIFA instructors, fitness coaches, doctors and physiotherapists, receiving comprehensive support to ensure that they achieve the highest possible standards at the tournament.”Team One will be based in Miami, where the selected match officials will meet for a ten-day preparation seminar starting on 31 May. Following this event, the video match officials will relocate to Dallas, which will be home to the International Broadcast Centre, while the referees, assistant referees and support staff will remain in Miami.

Islamabad (faisal):The ITF Pakistan 3rd Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Juniors Tennis Championship 2026 (Leg-1) commenced today, 7th April 2026, at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.A total of 24 boys and 15 girls from 14 countries - including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Japan, China, Australia, Russia, Poland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand – are participating in the championship.Mikaeel Ali Baig and Hamza Roman of Pakistan are the 1st and 2nd seeds in the tournament, respectively.This international tournament is dedicated to the memory of Zainab Ali Naqvi, a talented young tennis player from Karachi, who tragically passed away on February 12, 2024, after suffering a heart attack while competing in an ITF Junior Tournament in Islamabad.Results:Masamune Matsumoto(JPN) bt Inam Qadir (PAK) 6-2,6-0; Jamie Chen (HKG) bt Ethan Chiang(SGP) 6-3,6-1; Jayden Park(HKG) bt M.Ahmad Afzal (PAK) 6-1,6-1; Arham Tariq (PAK) w/o Seo Lee (KOR); Ruoyu Hua (CHN) bt Abdaar Ali (PAK) 6-1,6-0; Ho Wan Yeung (HKG) w/o Kongyi Hu (CHN) ; M.Yahya w/o Daniel Alwadi; M. Ayyan Waqas w/o Moulik Agarwal(IND) Varvara Rubrsova(RUS) bt Yeanna Chowdhury(BAN) 6-0,6-2; Eyu Yoshida(JPN) bt Soha Ali (PAK) 6-3,6-1; Safiia Urazalina (KAZ) bt Romaisa Malik (PAK) 6-0,7-5; Yelizaveta Slepchenko(KAZ) Yuriko (JPN) 6-4,6-1; Yijia Wang(CHN) bt Yuliia Artiuhina(POL) 6-1,6-1; Rino Shinden (JPN) w/o Yeva Kim (KAZ) ;  The main draw matches for both boys and girls will commence on April 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

Macao (Sports News):The ITTF Men's & Women's World Cup Macao 2026 reached its thrilling conclusion on Sunday at the Galaxy Arena, crowning two champions and delivering a final night worthy of the ITTF's centenary year.Sun Yingsha has done what no woman in the history of the sport has ever done before. The world number one defeated Wang Manyu 4-1 (11-9, 11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7) in the Women's Singles final to claim an unprecedented third consecutive ITTF Women's World Cup title, joining Fan Zhendong as the only players in ITTF World Cup history to achieve three consecutive singles titles.This was an intense, absorbing final between two of the finest players in the Women's game, with Wang Manyu pushing Sun Yingsha hard in every game and refusing to make anything straightforward. In the end, it was Sun Yingsha's experience, composure and sheer class that proved the difference. The road to a third title was far from easy, highlighted by a seven-game quarterfinal against Hana Goda, the longest match of the entire tournament, in which Sun Yingsha was forced to save two match points in the deciding game before prevailing.Wang Manyu takes the silver medal, while Shin Yubin and Sabine Winter share the bronze. Shin Yubin made history as the first woman from Korea Republic ever to win a medal at the ITTF Women's World Cup, while Sabine Winter became the first European woman to medal at the ITTF Women's Singles World Cup since Petrissa Solja in 2015. Hana Goda, who became the first African woman ever to reach the quarterfinals of the ITTF Women's World Cup, leaves Macao, China having inspired a generation of players across the African continent.Wang Chuqin claimed the trophy he has long been chasing. The world number one defeated Sora Matsushima 4-3 (9-11, 18-16, 11-8, 11-13, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8) in a final of the highest order, played over one hour and thirteen minutes, to claim his first ever ITTF Men's World Cup title at his fourth appearance at this event.The match refused to follow a straight line. Sora Matsushima took the opening game, Wang Chuqin levelled in the second by battling all the way to 18-16, and the Japanese star continued to push, levelling again at 2-2 before Wang Chuqin found another gear when it mattered most to close out the deciding game. The road to the title saw Wang Chuqin come from 1-3 down against Darko Jorgic in the quarterfinals and defeat reigning champion Hugo Calderano 4-1 (11-7, 11-3, 11-7, 6-11, 12-10) in the semifinals. With the ITTF Men's World Cup title now secured, Wang Chuqin stands just one major title away from completing a career grand slam, with the Olympic men's singles gold medal the remaining prize ahead of LA 2028.Sora Matsushima takes the silver medal having become only the second Japanese player ever to reach the final of the ITTF Men's World Cup, following Tomokazu Harimoto's appearance in 2019. Hugo Calderano and Lin Yun-Ju share the bronze medals. For the reigning champion Calderano, the title may have slipped from his grasp this week, but the fact that the Brazilian stood on the podium once again is a testament to what makes him one of the most beloved figures in the sport. Macao, China has been his stage, and even without the gold, he leaves to a crowd that knows exactly what he means to this tournament.

Lahore (Sports News):Multan Sultans bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators while chasing 167 in the 13th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.The win took Multan Sultans to the top of the points table with six points from four matches, level with Karachi Kings but ahead with better net run-rate.After being asked to bat first, Saud Shakeel's patient 56 off 41 balls aided by six fours and one six along with New Zealander Bevon Jacobs' unbeaten 49 off 31 balls featuring four fours and three sixes lifted Quetta to 166 for seven.Gladiators lost their opening batters Shamyl Hussain (2) and Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (12, 7b, 1x4, 1x6) inside the powerplay to Ashton Turner and Mohammad Nawaz, respectively.Saud and Hasan Nawaz (20, 22b, 3x4s) steadied the innings with a 55-run third-wicket partnership but Arafat Minhas broke through in the 10th over when Hasan was stumped by Josh Philippe.Rilee Rossouw (1) fell four balls later as Quetta slipped to 72 for four with Arafat (4-0-14-2) picking up his second wicket in a miserly spell.Saud held firm, bringing up his half-century off 34 balls before Nawaz struck twice in quick succession in the 17th over. He first removed Saud, who was caught by Steve Smith while trying to heave across the line and then dismissed Tom Curran, remarkably caught by Turner diving to his left at short cover, to finish with three for 30 and leave Quetta reeling at 122 for six inside 17 overs.Jacobs counter-attacked impressively, rotating the strike with Ahmed Daniyal (22 retired hurt, 9b, 2x4s, 1x6) to push Quetta past the 160-mark.The innings ended on a concerning note for Quetta as Daniyal suffered a right hamstring injury while completing a third run off the fifth ball of the last over and was forced to retire hurt before Alzarri Joseph was run out off the final delivery.In reply, Multan opening batters Sahibzada Farhan (32, 14b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Smith gave the chase a blistering start, racing to 50 in just 3.2 overs. Smith scorched a six and two fours in the opening over against Alzarri Joseph while Farhan took apart Abrar Ahmed for a six and a boundary in the second.Smith then ransacked four consecutive fours off Curran in the next over to gather 16 runs. However, Joseph broke through in the sixth over when Farhan miscued a heave and was caught by Abrar at short third but the damage was done with Multan at 71 for one.After scoring 83 for one in the powerplay, Multan’s cause was helped as Philippe (18, 15b, 2x4s) kept the momentum going alongside Smith before Saud broke the 25-run partnership in the eighth over, with Philippe chipping a catch to Abrar at short third.Smith continued to dominate, reaching his half-century off 29 balls before falling for 53 in the 14th over. Rossouw sprinted from deep square leg and took a stunning relay catch, tossing the ball to substitute fielder Saqib Khan just before tumbling over the boundary rope.At 136 for three, the game was still Multan's to lose. Shan Masood (46 not out, 30b, 2x4s, 2x6s) ensured there were no further hiccups, anchoring the chase with composed strokeplay. Hasan picked up his second wicket as he trapped Arafat leg-before in the 16th over at 148 but Shan and Turner sealed the victory with 15 balls to spare.Scores in brief:Quetta Gladiators 166-8, 20 overs (Saud Shakeel 56, Bevon Jacobs 49 not out, Ahmed Daniyal 22 retired hurt, Hasan Nawaz 20; Mohammad Nawaz 3-30, Arafat Minhas 2-14)Multan Sultans 167-4, 17.3 overs (Steve Smith 53, Shan Masood 46 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 32; Hasan Nawaz 2-17)Player of the match: Mohammad Nawaz (Multan Sultans)Monday’s Fixture - Multan Sultans v Rawalpindiz at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 7pm PKT