Opinions, analysis and commentary
The 2026 Pakistan Super League has officially entered its “moving week,” and the Multan Sultans are the ones doing the heavy lifting. Following a clinical six-wicket demolition of the Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, the Sultans have leapfrogged the Karachi Kings to seize the summit of the points table. While the tournament is still in its middle phase, Multan’s ability to turn potential banana-skin fixtures into routine victories suggests a team peaking at exactly the right moment.
The narrative of the night was driven by two distinct forces: the vintage class of Steve Smith and a high-octane bowling display that left Quetta gasping for air.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of intent. Opting to bowl first on a surface that offered subtle assistance to the spinners, Multan’s captain, Ashton Turner, squeezed the life out of the Quetta top order. Mohammad Nawaz (the “other” Nawaz in this narrative) was the primary architect of the collapse, ripping through the middle order to finish with figures of 3/30.
Quetta’s struggle was palpable. Despite a gritty 56 from Saud Shakeel and some late-order fireworks from Bevon Jacobs, a target of 167 was never going to be enough against a Multan lineup that treats run-chases like a Sunday stroll.
Steve Smith, proving that T20 longevity is about timing rather than just brute force, anchored the chase with a blistering 53 off 35 balls. He dismantled the Quetta pace attack during the powerplay, finding gaps with surgical precision. Alongside Sahibzada Farhan (32), Smith ensured the required rate remained manageable from the very first over.
While Quetta faced a collective failure, Hasan Nawaz emerged as a lone bright spot with the ball. His two overs were a display of control and deception, yielding 2/17. He managed to prize out key wickets that briefly threatened to derail Multan, but the sheer depth of the Sultans’ batting—capped off by a calm 46* from Shan Masood—saw them home with 15 balls to spare.
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) |
| 1 | Multan Sultans | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | +0.588 |
| 2 | Karachi Kings | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | +0.486 |
| 3 | Islamabad United | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | +1.055 |
| 4 | Lahore Qalandars | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +1.546 |
| 5 | Peshawar Zalmi | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | +0.674 |
| 6 | Quetta Gladiators | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.223 |
| 7 | Rawalpindiz | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.414 |
| 8 | Hyderabad Kingsmen | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -2.077 |
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By defeating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets on April 5, Multan moved to 6 points. Although Karachi Kings also have 6 points, Multan’s superior Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.588 has placed them at the number one spot.
Yes, the 2026 season marks Steve Smith’s debut in the Pakistan Super League. His half-century against Quetta was his first major milestone in the tournament, silencing critics who questioned his suitability for the shortest format.
The award went to Mohammad Nawaz of Multan Sultans for his game-changing spell of 3/30, which effectively broke the back of the Quetta batting order.
In Pakistan, Tapmad and ARY Plus are the primary streaming partners. International fans can use Willow TV (North America) or Sky Sports (UK). For a unified guide to all streaming links, visit Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Due to regional logistical constraints and a focus on a “broadcast-first” model for the 2026 season, the PCB has opted to hold matches in Lahore and Karachi without live spectators, focusing instead on high-quality digital engagement.
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