(Cricket News) In the Pakistan Super League on Wednesday, the Multan Sultans continued their incredible start by handily defeating the reigning champion Lahore Qalandars for the third time in a row. In a rematch of last season’s championship event, Sultans defeated defending champions Qalandars by five wickets thanks to a stunning 24 runs in the penultimate over from Iftikhar Ahmed.

Now, in three straight games, Qalandars’ highly anticipated pace attack—headed by Shaheen Shah Afridi—has failed to mount a defense, with Haris Rauf continuing to struggle and Zaman Khan also proving costly (2–52).

With three straight home victories, Sultans now hold a commanding six-point lead in the standings, while Qalandars have yet to record a victory.

After being dropped by Afridi at 40, captain Mohammed Rizwan went on to smash the highest score of the season, 82 off 59 balls, before Ifthikar attacked Zaman’s pace in the 19th over, hitting two sixes and three fours to lead the home team to 170 for 5.

With a strong knock of undefeated 34 off 11 balls, Iftikhar destroyed Qalandars’ hopes of winning for the first time. The home team required 21 off the final two overs.

In place of the injured Rashid Khan, South African left-arm spinner George Linde (1 for 26) appeared to have strengthened Qalandars’ bowling when he bowled brilliantly in the middle overs after Qalandars posted 166 for 5, but Iftikhar’s attack against Zaman secured the victory.

Earlier, they put up 94 runs for the second wicket stand and pushed for a formidable total before Sultans withdrew despite dropping four catches. Rassie van der Dussen (54) struck his second half-century in three games, while Fakhar Zaman made 41.

Khushdil Shah, who gave up two catches in the previous game against Islamabad United, wasted two more opportunities on Wednesday, but Mohammad Ali, the fast bowler (2 for 28), kept up his impressive form with his swing and variations, ultimately restricting Qalandars.

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