PSL 11: Multan Sultans beat Islamabad United by 5 wickets

Lahore (Web Desk): Multan Sultans defeated Islamabad United by five wickets in the fourth match of Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 172, the Sultans reached their target with eight balls to spare, overcoming early losses to build momentum.

The defending champions got off to a rocky start as Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 16 in the third over.

Josh Philippe scored a half century as he joined Steve Smith, and together they steadied the innings with a 45-run partnership before Smith fell for 31 on his PSL debut to Salman Irshad. United’s captain Shadab Khan then removed Shan Masood cheaply, leaving Multan at 70/3.

Philippe continued to anchor the chase, adding 61 runs with skipper Ashton Turner before Shadab claimed his wicket in the 15th over. Philippe finished unbeaten on 55 from 35 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.

Arafat Minhas then played a quickfire 25 off 11 deliveries, striking four boundaries and a six, before Turner guided the team home with 43 not out off 28 balls. Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with seven not out, completing the comfortable victory. Irshad and Shadab took two wickets each, while Imad Wasim claimed one for United.

Batting first, Islamabad United posted 171/8 in 20 overs after Turner’s decision to field first paid off. Conway and Sameer Minhas gave United a strong start with 48 runs for the opening stand before Conway fell for 26. Sameer (28) and Andries Gous (11) were dismissed in quick succession, leaving United at 75/3. Mark Chapman fought back with a brisk 40 off 23 balls, but Momin Qamar struck twice in the 15th over to dismiss Chapman and Haider Ali.

Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf then added 30 runs for the seventh wicket, with Faheem finishing unbeaten on 26. Qamar ended as the standout bowler with 3/24, supported by Mohammad Wasim Jr’s two wickets and contributions from Nawaz, Minhas, and Siddle.

Historically, the two teams have faced off 18 times in the PSL, with United leading 10-8. In the previous season, United had won both encounters against the Sultans.