A late-innings masterclass from Sam Billings and a lower-order propelled RawalPindiz to a competitive 182/8. Faisal Akram played a sensational four-wicket haul in Match 14 of PSL 2026.
Opting to field first, Multan Sultans initially stifled the Pindiz top order. Former Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan could only manage 19 off 13 balls before falling to Arafat Minhas in powerplay, who maintained exceptional control with figures of 2-22. The Pindiz appeared to be in a position of strength at 66-3 in the 8th over before Faisal Akram was introduced to devastating effect.
Akram, the left-arm wrist-spinner, single-handedly dismantled the Pindiz middle order. He struck crucial blows by removing Kamran Ghulam (35 off 24) and the dangerous Daryl Mitchell (17 off 12), before returning to clean up the tail. Akram’s clinical spell of 4-31 left the visitors reeling at 128-7 by the 15th over.
However, the Pindiz found an unlikely hero in Sam Billings. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman anchored the back end of the innings with a brilliant, calculated 56 off 34 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. Billings found support in Dian Forrester, whose rapid-fire 24 off just 11 deliveries (featuring three sixes) shifted the momentum. The pair targeted Mohammad Wasim Jr., who conceded 44 runs in his four-over quota.
In the final five overs, Pindiz plundered 60 runs. While Peter Siddle (1-31) and Mohammad Ismail (1-24) picked up late wickets to stem the flow, the damage had been done.
With the required run rate standing at 9.15, the pressure now shifts to the Sultans’ top order. For the RawalPindiz, this is the best chance yet to secure their first points of the season.
