PESHAWAR: All-rounder Arafat Minhas led Multan Region to a three-run win over Lahore Blues in the ongoing National T20 Trophy 2026 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Deciding to bat first, Multan had a shaky start as openers Muhammad Naeem and captain Imam-ul-Haq failed to provide a solid foundation. Both were dismissed in the first four overs of the innings.
Naeem was the first to depart after scoring 12 runs off seven balls, including a four and a six, before falling to Mohammad Salman. Imam soon dismissed Shahid Aziz for 13 off 11 balls with 2 boundaries as Multan struggled to 28-2 in 3.3 overs.
Mohir Saeed was dismissed by Nisar Ahmed for 12 off 10 balls, which included a six, to reduce Multan to 3 inside the powerplay.
A rescue attempt was made by Bismilla Khan and Muhammad Shahzad, who anchored the innings with a valuable 44-run partnership.
However, Khan’s resistance came to an end when he was dismissed by Mohammad Rizwan for 93-4 in 11.5 overs with 27 runs off 23 balls, including 2 fours and a six.
Shahjad Arafat then found support from Minhas and the pair quickened the scoring. Shahzad brought up a crucial half-century and the duo added a brisk 54-run partnership to lift Multan’s score.
Shahzad’s innings came to an end when Rizwan scored 54 off 40 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes to dismiss him.
Shortly after Minhas fell to Rizwan for 35 off 17 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes as Multan posted 160-6 in 18 overs.
Late fireworks from Wasim Akram and Amir Yamin took Multan closer to 200.
The pair added 40 runs in the final two overs, with Wasim unbeaten on 17 off 7 balls, hitting three fours, while Yamin scored 24 off 6 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Rizwan took 3 wickets for 39 runs in his four overs for Lahore Blues, while Nisar Ahmed, Shahid Aziz and Muhammad Salman took one wicket each.
Chasing a target of 201 runs, Lahore Blues fought hard but eventually ended up at 197-6 in their 20 overs, falling short despite a strong batting effort.
Opener Umar Siddiqui Khan scored 91 off 51 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes.
Imran Bhatt scored 20 off 15 balls to give Ali Razak a brisk 26-ball 45 including 2 fours and 4 sixes.
However, Multan’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing stages.
Arafat Minhas and Sirajuddin grabbed two wickets each, while Amir Yamin and Moheer Saeed claimed one each to ensure a narrow but memorable win for Multan.