Seamers, Hussain help United topple Sultans in HBL PSL

DUBAI: Hussain Talat put his credentials as a match-winning all-rounder on display when he shepherded Islamabad United to their first win in a low-scoring HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) encounter here at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

On an evening when Islamabad seamers, especially Mohammad Sami and Rumman Raees, proved too hot for the previously unbeaten Multan Sultans, it was the 22-year-old Hussain who helped Islamabad avoid any late surprises, guiding his team to its first win this season with an authoritative display with the bat.

After bowling Multan out for 113 in the final over, Islamabad were in eminent danger of a collapse when South Africa Test leggie Imran Tahir (3-19) reduced them to 63-5 with three wickets in quick succession.

But just when things were going south for Islamabad, the left-handed Hussain rescued them with a 34-ball 48 which included three sixes and four fours. In the end Islamabad walked away with a five-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare. The match was almost won by Islamabad in the powerplay overs when their seamers, helped by overcast conditions, brought Multan to their knees at 24-3 in the first six overs.

That period set the tone for the rest of the match. Multan weren’t able to recover, eventually slumping to 113 all out in the final over. At one point during the 54-run fifth-wicket partnership between Shoaib Malik and Kieron Pollard, it seemed like Multan could muster a score they could defend in bowling-friendly conditions. Imran Tahir gave them some hope with 3 for 19, but Hussain snuffed that out with a sparkling innings, first steadying the chase before showing off his range with a 34-ball 48 that gave Islamabad their first win of the tournament.

Multan’s batsmen took too long looking to consolidate, adding just 18 runs in four overs for the loss of Ahmed Shehzad. With a score at 42 for 4, even a bright cameo wouldn’t have sufficed.

The conditions were skewed towards the fast bowlers so much that legspinner Shadab Khan was given only two overs. Islamabad’s quicks didn’t disappoint. Captain Rumman Raees and Mohammad Sami combined for figures of 7.5-0-33-5 to give their team a distinct edge. Steven Finn and Andre Russell also chipped in with three wickets between them.

Being the only team with two wins in the tournament, Multan retained their position at the top of the table. Islamabad stayed at fifth spot with one win in two games. –with inputs from agencies