Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans by 47 runs in the 7th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Batting first, Islamabad United posted an imposing total of 202 for six in their allotted 20 overs. Their innings was anchored by a solid start from openers Farhan and Andries Gous, who added 45 runs in just under five overs.
Gous was dismissed for nine by David Willey, but Farhan continued the momentum, crafting a well-paced 53 off 36 balls, which included seven boundaries and a couple of sixes. He went on to share a 35-run stand with Colin Munro before being dismissed in the ninth over.
Munro then took charge, playing an aggressive knock of 48 from 25 deliveries, hitting four fours and three sixes in the process. He kept the scoreboard ticking alongside Shadab Khan and later Azam Khan, until he fell in the 16th over.
Towards the end of the innings, Haider Ali returned to the side with a blistering cameo, scoring 33 off just 16 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. His partnership with Jason Holder added 49 crucial runs for the sixth wicket, helping United cross the 200-run mark.
Chris Jordan was the most successful bowler for Multan, taking two wickets for 41 runs in his quota, while Willey, Usama Mir, and Ubaid Shah chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing a daunting 203, Multan Sultans stumbled early in their innings. They lost opener Shai Hope for just one run in the opening over with only three runs on the board.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan attempted to steer the innings along with Usman Khan as the pair put together a steady 59-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, their hopes took a hit when Usman was bowled by Imad Wasim for a 20-ball 31, which featured three fours and two sixes.
Despite Rizwan's anchoring role, the rest of the batting lineup failed to build meaningful partnerships. The pressure of the climbing required run rate and regular loss of wickets led to a collapse, and the entire side was bundled out for 155 in 18.4 overs.
Islamabad's bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, ensuring there was no way back for the Sultans.
With this win, Islamabad United continue to solidify their position in the tournament, while Multan Sultans are left to regroup after a tough defeat.
Teams
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Captain) Andries Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Azam Khan (WK), Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & WK), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Hasnain
