SHARJAH: The Islamabad United smashed Multan Sultans by 33 runs in the most important match of the Pakistan Super League played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Sent to bat first, Islamabad set a mammoth score of 186 runs for Multan as Misbah-ul-Haq’s boys did excellentwork, particularly in-form Ronchi contributed a brilliant 58 and struck three towering sixes and six fours in his 36-ball brief innings. He was well supported by Alex Hales, who made 46 off 33 balls with five fours and two sixes, and Hussain Talat, who scored 36 from 21 balls with four boundaries and a six.
In reply, Sultans were all out for 152 falling 33 runs short of the target despite Pollard’s blasting 73 runs off 47 balls could not save Multan from defeat, as Islamabad’s bowlers significantly did their job.
For Multan Sultans, pacer Umar Gul was the most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 26 runs. With today’s victory, Islamabad United have booked their berth for the play-offs, whereas the Sultans’ hopes for reaching the next round now depend on how Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi fare in their remaining league fixtures.