1 week Ago By Azhar Khan
LAHORE - Defending champions Islamabad United continued their dominant run in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, defeating Multan Sultans by seven wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night. The victory marked Islamabad United’s fifth consecutive win of the tournament, maintaining their unbeaten streak, while Multan Sultans suffered their fourth loss in five matches. This clash was the 18th encounter between the two sides in PSL history.
Islamabad now lead the head-to-head tally with 10 wins, while Multan has secured eight victories. After winning the toss, Multan Sultans elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 168/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan once again gave the team a solid start, stitching together a 51-run stand.
Yasir, who was in fine form, struck two sixes and two fours in his 29-run innings before falling to Mohammad Nawaz. Inaugural Morgan Reach Junior Squash Championship commences today Skipper Rizwan managed 36 off 37 balls, including three boundaries, before becoming Shadab Khan’s 100th career PSL wicket – making Shadab only the fourth bowler in PSL history to reach the milestone, after Hasan Ali (118), Wahab Riaz (113), and Shaheen Afridi (109). The backbone of Multan’s innings, however, was Usman Khan, who played a crucial knock of 61 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes.
Contributions from Michael Bracewell (9), Iftikhar Ahmed (10), Kamran Ghulam (13* off 6 balls), and Chris Jordan (6*) helped Multan close their innings at a decent total. Islamabad United chased down the target with ease, reaching 170/3 in the 18th over. Despite an early loss of Sahibzada Farhan for 22 (off 14 balls, including 3 fours and a six), caught by Usman Khan off Ubaid Shah’s bowling, Islamabad remained in control.
Colin Munro (45) and Andries Gous forged a match-winning 81-run partnership that took the game away from Multan. Munro fell to Bracewell, caught by Iftikhar, but Gous remained unbeaten on 80 off 45 deliveries, an explosive knock featuring six boundaries and five towering sixes. Zimbabwe shock Bangladesh in Sylhet despite Mehidy’s 10-wicket haul Mohammad Nawaz also chipped in with 21 runs before being dismissed by Chris Jordan.
Together with Gous, he added a further 55 runs for the third wicket. Islamabad ultimately sealed the win with 14 balls to spare. From the bowling side, Islamabad’s wickets were evenly shared among Riley Meredith, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Jason Holder, each claiming one wicket.
Multan Sultans will aim to bounce back in their sixth match, scheduled against Lahore Qalandars on April 26 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Tags: andries gous excels islamabad.
