Multan Sultans are the predicted winners of PSL 2026 Match 40, a Night fixture on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the National Stadium, Karachi, as Islamabad United (ISU) face Multan Sultans (MS) in a 7:00 PM PKT evening clash.
This is the final league-stage match of PSL 2026. Multan sit second with 12 points and are virtually through to the playoffs. Islamabad, third with 9 points, need a win to seal their qualification with certainty.
PSL 2026 Match 40 Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 40, PSL 2026 (HBL PSL 11) |
| Teams | Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans |
| Date | Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM PKT (7:30 PM IST) |
| Venue | National Stadium (National Bank Stadium), Karachi |
| Format | Night T20 |
| Live Broadcast | PTV Sports, A Sports, Geo Super, Ten Sports |
| Live Streaming | Tapmad, Tamasha, Myco |
| ISU Captain | Shadab Khan |
| MS Captain | Ashton Turner |
PSL 2026 Match 40 Odds for Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans
This is closer than most bookmakers would set a mid-table clash. Multan Sultans are slight favourites at around 1.72-1.80, while Islamabad United sit at 1.95-2.10. The odds reflect Multan’s superior form, but Islamabad’s three-time champion pedigree keeps this tight.
For an evening match under lights, dew becomes a significant factor. The toss winner will almost certainly bowl first, and that decision could prove decisive.
| Platform | ISU Win | MS Win | Toss (ISU) | Toss (MS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 2.05 | 1.75 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 2.10 | 1.72 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 2.00 | 1.78 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| BetVibe | 1.95 | 1.80 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
PSL 2026 Match 40 Toss Prediction for Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans
This is a 7:00 PM PKT evening match, and at Karachi under lights, the toss becomes more than a formality.
Dew rolls in from around the 14th-15th over of the second innings, making the ball slippery for bowlers and difficult to grip for spinners. At the National Stadium this season, chasing teams have won roughly 53% of evening games. That percentage climbs higher when you factor in dew-heavy nights.
Both captains know this. Shadab Khan has consistently preferred bowling first when winning the toss in evening games. Ashton Turner opted to field first against Rawalpindiz on April 21 and against Hyderabad Kingsmen on April 22.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will field first.
Islamabad United Predicted Playing XI for PSL 2026 Match 40
Islamabad United are three-time PSL champions and sit third on the PSL Points table with 9 points. But their last outing was a shocker: bowled out for 137 against bottom-placed Rawalpindiz on April 23. That collapse will sting.
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devon Conway (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Sameer Minhas | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Mohammad Faiq | Batter |
| 4 | Shadab Khan (c) | All-rounder |
| 5 | Mark Chapman | Batter |
| 6 | Haider Ali | Batter |
| 7 | Faheem Ashraf | All-rounder |
| 8 | Imad Wasim | All-rounder |
| 9 | Chris Green | All-rounder |
| 10 | Richard Gleeson | Bowler |
| 11 | Mohammad Hasnain | Bowler |
Key Notes: Shadab Khan is the tournament’s most impactful all-rounder for ISU with 9 wickets at an economy of 6.94 and handy runs in the middle order. His leg-spin will be crucial against Multan’s aggressive top order.
Devon Conway has been solid at the top but needs a big score after managing just 40 in the loss to Rawalpindiz. Sameer Minhas is an exciting young opener who smashed 70 against Rawalpindiz earlier this season.
Islamabad’s NRR of +1.082 is the second-best in the tournament, meaning they have been winning or losing by significant margins. Their problem is consistency, not firepower.
Multan Sultans Predicted Playing XI for PSL 2026 Match 40
The Sultans have been PSL 2026’s most complete side. Six wins from nine matches, 12 points, and a batting lineup that can genuinely terrorise any attack.
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sahibzada Farhan | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Steven Smith | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Ashton Turner (c) | Batter |
| 4 | Josh Philippe (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 5 | Shan Masood | Batter |
| 6 | Arafat Minhas | All-rounder |
| 7 | Mohammad Imran Randhawa | All-rounder |
| 8 | Peter Siddle | Bowler |
| 9 | Mohammad Wasim Jr | Bowler |
| 10 | Momin Qamar | Bowler |
| 11 | Muhammad Ismail | Bowler |
Key Storyline: Mohammad Nawaz is under PCB investigation after testing positive for a recreational drug during the T20 World Cup 2026. His availability for this match is uncertain. If unavailable, expect Tabraiz Shamsi or Momin Qamar to fill the spin slot.
Sahibzada Farhan leads the PSL 2026 run charts with 249 runs at a strike rate of 180.43. He has been the tournament’s most destructive opener alongside Steven Smith, who smashed 106 off 50 balls against Hyderabad Kingsmen and a blistering 56 off 31 against Rawalpindiz.
Shan Masood (233 runs, avg 46.6, SR 180+) provides the anchor role. Peter Siddle (8 wickets) and Arafat Minhas (8 wickets) form a reliable bowling core. This squad has serious depth.
National Stadium Karachi Pitch Report, PSL 2026
The National Stadium has now hosted 20+ PSL 2026 matches. After weeks of cricket, the surface has matured into a reliable batting track with increasing assistance for spinners as the match progresses.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | National Stadium (National Bank Stadium), Karachi |
| Capacity | 34,228 |
| Pitch Type | Good batting surface, helps spinners in middle overs |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (PSL 2026) | 165-175 runs |
| Boundary Size | 65-70 metres, standard |
| Best Strategy | Bowl first (dew advantage in evening games) |
- Evening dew is the game-changer. From the 14th over of the second innings, the outfield gets damp, the ball skids on, and spinners struggle to grip their deliveries. Teams batting second with dew assistance have a clear edge.
- Pacers get swing with the new ball for 2-3 overs. After that, the pitch plays true. Batters who survive the powerplay can cash in during the middle overs.
- Spinners dominate the middle overs in the first innings. Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and the Multan spinners will be key between overs 7-15.
- Expected score range: 160-190 per innings. Both teams possess the batting firepower to push past 180.
- This is a worn pitch late in the tournament. Expect more variable bounce and turn compared to early-season Karachi matches. Smart bowlers will adapt; one-dimensional pace will get punished.
Karachi Weather Report, April 26, 2026
Perfect cricket weather for an evening under lights. Clear skies with zero rain probability. The temperature will drop from 33°C at the start to a pleasant 28-29°C by the second innings, which is ideal for batting.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, warm evening |
| Temperature | 29°C – 33°C |
| Humidity | Moderate (~50-60%) |
| Wind Speed | Light, 10-15 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Minimal |
| Dew Factor | Significant from ~14th over of 2nd innings onward |
| Rain Probability | 0% during match hours |
| Match Interruption Risk | None. Full 40-over match guaranteed |
Dream11 Team for ISU vs MS
Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans Head-to-Head, Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (PSL History):
| Matches Played | ISU Wins | MS Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
This is one of PSL’s most evenly contested rivalries. Islamabad lead 9-8 overall, but Multan won the most recent meeting (Match 4 this season) by 5 wickets.
Recent Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSL 2026 | Mar 28, 2026 | MS | 5 wickets (8 balls rem.) |
| PSL 2025 | Apr 23, 2025 | ISU | 7 wickets |
| PSL 2025 | Apr 16, 2025 | ISU | 47runs |
| PSL 2024 | Mar 18, 2024 | ISU | 2 wickets |
| PSL 2024 | Mar 10, 2024 | ISU | 3 wickets |
Match 4 Recap (PSL 2026): Islamabad United batted first and posted 171/8 in 20 overs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Mark Chapman top-scored with 40, but no batter converted a start. Momin Qamar (3/24) was the pick of the Multan bowlers.
In the chase, Josh Philippe (55) anchored the innings on PSL debut, with Ashton Turner (43*) guiding the Sultans home with 8 balls to spare. Steven Smith contributed 31 and also picked up 3 wickets.
Rivalry Highlights:
- Shadab Khan has taken 18 wickets against Multan across PSL history, the most by any bowler in this fixture.
- The 2024 PSL Final was between these two teams. Islamabad United won by 2 wickets to clinch their record third title, with Multan finishing runners-up for the third consecutive season.
Our Prediction: Multan Sultans Have Better Chances to Win Against Islamabad United in PSL 2026 Match 40
Bottom line: Multan Sultans win, either defending a total of 175+ or chasing comfortably under lights.
Why Multan Sultans Win
The Sultans’ batting depth is frightening. Farhan, Smith, Turner, Philippe, Masood is five international-calibre batters in a row. Steve Smith is in the form of his T20 life, fresh off a century against Hyderabad Kingsmen and a 56 against Rawalpindiz.
They already beat Islamabad this season in Match 4, chasing 172 with 8 balls to spare. Their bowling, led by Peter Siddle (8 wickets) and Arafat Minhas (8 wickets), provides the balance to defend or restrict.
With 12 points and a +0.450 NRR, Multan are playing with the confidence of a side that knows the formula. Even with the Nawaz cloud, their squad depth can absorb the blow.
Why Islamabad United Could Win
Three-time champions don’t lose big-game nerve easily. Shadab Khan is a proven match-winner with 18 career wickets against Multan, the most by any bowler in this rivalry. His leg-spin will be crucial on a turning Karachi surface.
Islamabad’s NRR of +1.082 (second-best in PSL 2026) shows they win big when they win. If Sameer Minhas fires in the powerplay and Conway anchors, their batting can match anyone.
The loss to Rawalpindiz was a blip, not a pattern. ISU have the players and the championship DNA to bounce back when it matters.
Final Verdict
Multan’s batting is simply too strong. Smith’s current form (back-to-back match-defining innings), combined with Farhan’s explosiveness and Turner’s calm finishing, gives them the edge in a match where both teams will play aggressively.
The dew factor in an evening game also favours the chasing side, and Multan have been excellent chasers this season. Islamabad need their spin trio of Shadab, Imad, and Green to fire, but even that might not be enough if Smith and Farhan get going.
Prediction: Multan Sultans win by 15-25 runs (if batting first) or with 6-10 balls to spare (if chasing).
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of April 24, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
