KARACHI: Islamabad United secured a four-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in a high-stakes Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 match at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday, booking their place in the Qualifier against Peshawar Zalmi.
Chasing a challenging target of 193, the three-time champions reached 194 for 6 with eight balls to spare, finishing second in the standings and setting up a clash with table-toppers Zalmi at the same venue on Tuesday.
Mark Chapman starred with an unbeaten 69 off 33 deliveries, anchoring the chase after a shaky start.
His innings included six sixes and four boundaries.
United lost early wickets, with Sameer Minhas dismissed for 1 and Devon Conway falling for 18.
Mohsin Riaz contributed 25 off 17 balls before being dismissed, leaving the side at 72 for 3 in 7.2 overs.
Chapman then combined with captain Shadab Khan to steady the innings with a crucial 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Shadab made 36 off 28 balls, hitting five fours, before falling in the 15th over.
Despite losing two more wickets in quick succession, Chapman remained composed and guided the team home in the penultimate over.
For Multan, Faisal Akram picked up two wickets but conceded 41 runs, while Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ismail and Mohammad Imran took one wicket each.
Multan Sultans post 192
Earlier, Multan Sultans posted 192 for 7 after being put in to bat.
Openers Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan gave a strong start, adding 60 runs before Smith was dismissed for 30 by Salman Mirza at the end of the powerplay.
Farhan followed on the next delivery, also scoring 30, as the Sultans slipped to 60 for 2.
Vice-captain Shan Masood led the middle-order resistance with 44 off 33 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
He added 42 runs with Josh Philippe, who made 11, before falling in the 16th over.
A late flourish lifted the Sultans’ total. Arafat Minhas struck 31 off 19 balls, while Mohammad Wasim Jr added an unbeaten 26 from just nine deliveries.
The pair combined for a rapid 55-run stand in the final overs to push the total close to 200.
Islamabad United shared the wickets among their bowlers, with Chris Green, Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan claiming one wicket each.
