RAWALPINDI: Islamabad United extended their winning momentum with a commanding 47-run victory over Multan Sultans in the seventh match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Islamabad United posted an imposing total of 202 for 6, led by a solid half-century from Sahibzada Farhan and a late blitz by Haider Ali.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Islamabad United’s batting depth allowed them to maintain a brisk scoring rate throughout the innings.
Farhan provided a strong start, scoring 53 off 36 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes.
He stitched a 45-run opening stand with Andries Gous, who managed just 9 runs before falling to David Willey in the fifth over.
Farhan continued to anchor the innings with a 35-run partnership alongside Colin Munro before departing in the ninth over.
Munro then took charge with an aggressive 48 off 25 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes.
He built useful partnerships with skipper Shadab Khan and Azam Khan to keep the scoreboard ticking.
In the latter stages, Haider Ali added a quickfire 33 from 16 balls, combining with Jason Holder to add 49 runs for the sixth wicket.
Haider’s innings featured three fours and two sixes and played a vital role in pushing United past the 200-run mark.
Among Multan’s bowlers, Chris Jordan was the pick with two wickets for 41 runs. Willey, Ubaid Shah and Usama Mir chipped in with one wicket each.
In reply, Multan Sultans faltered in their chase and were bowled out for 155 in 18.4 overs, despite a fighting effort from captain Mohammad Rizwan.
Multan Sultans’ innings began on a shaky note with the early dismissal of Shai Hope, caught behind for just one run in the first over.
Rizwan and Usman Khan attempted to steady the innings with a 59-run stand for the second wicket.
Usman made a brisk 31 off 20 balls, hitting three boundaries and two sixes, before falling to Imad Wasim in the sixth over.
Rizwan held the innings together but received little support from the middle order as Islamabad United’s bowlers continued to make inroads.
Jason Holder led the attack with a superb four-wicket haul, dismantling Multan’s lower order and ensuring there was no way back for the visitors.
Multan Sultan’s chase unravelled quickly after Rizwan’s departure, and their innings folded with more than an over to spare.
Islamabad United Playing XI
Andries Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (cap), Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah and Riley Meredith.
Multan Sultans Playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan (cap & wk), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Hasnain.
