United Outclass Sultans by 47 Runs in PSL 10 Thriller
News Desk
Rawalpindi: Islamabad United extended their winning streak in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 with a commanding 47-run victory over Multan Sultans in the seventh match of the tournament held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a formidable target of 203 runs, Multan Sultans faltered under pressure and were bowled out for 155 in 18.4 overs despite a valiant knock from skipper Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan tried to anchor the innings after the early loss of Shai Hope, who departed for just one run on the fifth delivery of the innings, with only three runs on the board.
The Sultans’ innings briefly stabilised as Rizwan and Usman Khan stitched together a cautious 59-run partnership for the second wicket. However, Usman’s dismissal on the last delivery of the powerplay, bowled by Imad Wasim, halted their momentum. He contributed a brisk 31 off 20 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and two sixes.
From there, United’s bowlers tightened the grip, and Multan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with no substantial partnerships following.
Earlier, Islamabad United, after being put in to bat, posted a challenging 202/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to an all-round batting effort led by Sahibzada Farhan. The opener top-scored with an aggressive 53 off 36 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes. He laid a solid foundation alongside Andries Gous, adding 45 runs for the opening stand before Gous fell for 9 in the fifth over.
Farhan then added 35 runs with Colin Munro for the second wicket before departing in the ninth over. Munro picked up the scoring baton, hammering 48 runs off just 25 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. He was involved in brief yet valuable stands with skipper Shadab Khan and wicketkeeper Azam Khan.
In the later stages of the innings, Haider Ali and Jason Holder provided the final flourish, adding a quickfire 49-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Haider smashed 33 off just 16 balls, with three fours and two sixes, before falling on the final delivery of the 19th over.
For Multan Sultans, Chris Jordan was the standout bowler, claiming two wickets for 41 runs in his four overs. Ubaid Shah, Usama Mir, and David Willey chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Playing XIs:
Islamabad United: Andries Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith.
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Hasnain.
With this comprehensive win, Islamabad United continue to assert their dominance in the league, while Multan Sultans will look to regroup and bounce back in the coming fixtures.
