Multan Sultans Won by 5 Wickets to Stun Three-Time Champions in PSL 2026 Match 4
Multan Sultans won by 5 wickets against Islamabad United in Match 4 of PSL 2026 on 28 March at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Chasing 172, Sultans got home in 18.4 overs with 8 balls to spare. Ashton Turner led from the front with a composed 43 off 28 balls while Arafat Minhas played a stunning cameo of 25 off 11. This was the first match of the new Sultans era under new owner Gohar Shah and they announced themselves in the best possible way, beating the three-time PSL champions on Day 1 of their campaign.
Match Info: United vs Sultans
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | PSL 2026, Match 4 |
| Date | 28 March 2026 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| United Score | 171/8 (20 overs) |
| Sultans Score | 175/5 (18.4 overs) |
| Result | Multan Sultans won by 5 wickets |
| Balls Remaining | 8 |
| Player of the Match | Ashton Turner |
Islamabad United Batting: 171/8 in 20 Overs
Islamabad United never quite got going with the bat. They lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build any meaningful partnership after the powerplay. A total of 171 on the Gaddafi surface, which had already seen scores of 199, 181, and 214 in the first three matches of the tournament, felt well below par.
United’s bowlers needed to be exceptional to defend it and they were not. Salman Irshad was their best performer with the ball, finishing with 2 wickets for 28, but the rest of the attack was loose and expensive under pressure.
Islamabad United Bowling vs Sultans Chase
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salman Irshad | 4 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 |
| Richard Gleeson | 3.4 | 28 | 0 | 7.63 |
| Salman Mirza | 3 | 49 | 0 | 16.33 |
Salman Mirza in particular went for 49 runs in just 3 overs, with Arafat Minhas targeting him ruthlessly in the 16th over with two fours and a six in quick succession.
Multan Sultans Chase: 175/5 in 18.4 Overs
The chase was not entirely smooth but Sultans always looked in control of what they needed to do. The key phase came in the middle overs when Ashton Turner steadied the innings and kept the run rate manageable. When Arafat Minhas came in, he took the game away from United completely.
The Decisive Phase
| Over | Runs | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| Over 16 | 11 | Arafat hits two fours and a six off Mirza |
| Over 17 | 17 | Arafat and Turner demolish Salman Irshad |
| Over 18 | 8 + wicket | Turner hits four, Arafat out for 25 |
| Over 18.4 | 4 | Nawaz finishes through mid-off, Sultans win |
Arafat Minhas was the innings highlight in the death. He smashed 25 off just 11 balls including 4 fours and 1 six, turning a tight chase into a comfortable one within the space of two overs. He was eventually dismissed by Salman Irshad for 25 but by then the game was effectively over.
Turner finished unbeaten on 43 off 28 and was the backbone of the chase throughout. He rotated strike intelligently, hit boundaries when they were there, and never let the required rate get away from Sultans.
Mohammad Nawaz sealed the win with a composed boundary through mid-off in the 19th over.
Sultans Key Batting Performances
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Turner | 43* | 28 | 3 | 1 | 153.57 |
| Arafat Minhas | 25 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 227.27 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 7* | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
What Makes This Win So Significant
This was not just any win. Multan Sultans beat Islamabad United, the most decorated franchise in PSL history with three titles, in their very first match of the new era. Coming off the back of a 2025 season where they won just one game in ten, this is a night and day transformation.
The Total Cricket philosophy under new owner Gohar Shah and captain Ashton Turner showed real signs of life. The team played positive cricket in the field, batted sensibly under pressure, and closed the game out with clear heads. That is a massive contrast to last season’s Sultans.
For Islamabad United, this is a concerning start. Their batting fell well below what the surface was offering and their bowling was too expensive in the death. With the PSL 2026 schedule providing very little room for error in the group stage, they need to respond quickly.
Check the updated PSL 2026 points table to see where all eight teams stand after the opening weekend. View the full Multan Sultans squad and Islamabad United squad for complete tournament lineups.
Updated Points Table After Match 4
| # | Team | M | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lahore Qalandars | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +3.450 |
| 2 | Karachi Kings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.700 |
| 3 | Peshawar Zalmi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.674 |
| 4 | Multan Sultans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.150 |
| 5 | RawalPindiz | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.674 |
| 6 | Quetta Gladiators | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.700 |
| 7 | Hyderabad Kingsmen | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -3.450 |
| 8 | Islamabad United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.150 |
FAQs
Who won PSL 2026 Match 4?
Multan Sultans won by 5 wickets against Islamabad United on 28 March 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Who was the top scorer for Multan Sultans in the chase?
Ashton Turner top-scored with an unbeaten 43 off 28 balls. Arafat Minhas played a crucial cameo of 25 off 11 balls in the death overs.
How did Multan Sultans win PSL 2026 Match 4?
Sultans chased 172 in 18.4 overs. Turner anchored the innings while Arafat Minhas blasted 25 off 11 in the 16th and 17th overs to seal the chase comfortably.
Who was the best bowler for Multan Sultans?
Salman Irshad was United’s best bowler with 2 wickets for 28. For Sultans, their bowling unit restricted United to 171 on a surface where every other first innings crossed 180.
Is this Multan Sultans’ first win under new ownership in PSL 2026?
Yes. This was the very first match of the new Sultans era under owner Gohar Shah and captain Ashton Turner, and they won it against the three-time PSL champions.
How many points do Multan Sultans have after PSL 2026 Match 4?
Multan Sultans have 2 points after winning Match 4, joining Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, and Peshawar Zalmi at the top of the PSL 2026 standings.
