Multan Region secured a dramatic three-run victory over Lahore Blues in the ongoing National T20 Cup 2026 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, with all-rounder Arafat Minhas playing a key role in the thrilling contest.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Multan had a shaky start as openers Muhammad Naeem and captain Imam-ul-Haq failed to provide a solid foundation. Both batters were dismissed within the first four overs of the innings.
Naeem was the first to depart after scoring 12 off seven balls, including a four and a six, falling to Muhammad Salman. Imam followed shortly afterward when Shahid Aziz dismissed him for 13 off 11 deliveries with two boundaries, leaving Multan struggling at 28-2 in 3.3 overs.
The early pressure continued when Moheer Saeed was removed by Nisar Ahmed for 12 off 10 balls, which included a six, reducing Multan to three wickets down inside the powerplay.
Multan began to recover through Bismillah Khan and Muhammad Shahzad, who steadied the innings with a valuable 44-run partnership.
However, Khan’s resistance ended when Muhammad Rizwan dismissed him for 27 off 23 deliveries, including two fours and a six, with the score at 93-4 in 11.5 overs.
Shahzad then found strong support from Arafat Minhas, and the pair accelerated the scoring rate. Shahzad brought up a crucial half-century as the duo added a brisk 54-run partnership to strengthen Multan’s total.
Shahzad’s innings ended when Rizwan struck again, dismissing him for 54 off 40 balls, an innings that included three fours and four sixes.
Minhas followed shortly afterward, also falling to Rizwan after scoring a quick 35 from just 17 deliveries, hitting two fours and two sixes, leaving Multan at 160-6 in 18 overs.
Late fireworks from Waseem Akram and Amir Yamin pushed Multan close to the 200-run mark.
The pair added 40 runs in the final two overs, with Waseem remaining unbeaten on 17 off seven balls, striking three fours, while Yamin smashed 24 off just six deliveries, including three fours and two sixes, helping Multan post a strong total of 201.
For Lahore Blues, Rizwan was the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 39 in his four overs, while Nisar Ahmed, Shahid Aziz, and Muhammad Salman picked up one wicket each.
Chasing 201, Lahore Blues mounted a strong challenge but ultimately fell just short, finishing on 197-6 in their 20 overs.
Opener Umar Siddique Khan led the chase with an outstanding 91 off 51 balls, smashing 13 fours and three sixes.
Ali Razzaq added late momentum with a brisk 45 from 26 deliveries, including two fours and four sixes, while Imran Butt contributed 20 off 15 balls.
Despite the aggressive chase, Multan’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing stages to secure the narrow victory in the National T20 Cup.
Arafat Minhas and Sirajuddin claimed two wickets each, while Amir Yamin and Moheer Saeed picked up one wicket apiece as Multan sealed a nail-biting three-run win.
