MULTAN: Multan Sultans fought hard to secure a nail-biting five-wicket victory over Islamabad United in a low-scoring encounter of the Pakistan Super League 2024 at the Multan Stadium Tuesday night.
Islamabad United put up a valiant fight after a tough time with the bat early on. Their bowlers kept a tight grip on Multan Sultans’ batters during their chase of 144 runs scored by Islamabad. Although, the target seemed easily achievable, it proved to be a challenge. However, Multan Sultans ultimately emerged victorious, reaching 145 runs for the loss of five wickets with one ball to spare. They nearly caused a major scare for their fans who were on the edge of their seats throughout the match.
Despite Mohammad Rizwan’s responsible 32 off 33 balls and Reeza Hendricks’ gritty 58 off 46 balls, Islamabad United remained resilient, pushing the match to a thrilling final over.
Islamabad United got an early breakthrough by dismissing Dawid Malan for a duck on the fourth ball with just six runs on the board. However, Rizwan and Hendricks formed a crucial partnership, adding 71 runs for the second wicket. With the dismissal of Rizwan via an LBW by Shadab Khan, Hendricks took control of the match and went on to score his half-century, featuring six fours and a six. Rizwan also contributed with six fours and two sixes.
Tymal Mills provided Islamabad United with a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Hendricks, bringing his team back into the game. The dismissals of Yasir Khan (8) and Khushdil Shah (3) raised hopes among Islamabad ranks. However, it was Iftikhar Ahmed (18) and David Willey (7) who completed the remaining runs, not without a strong fight from Islamabad United.
Naseem Shah claimed two wickets, while Imad Wasim, Mills, and Shadab picked up one wicket each for Islamabad United.
From Islamabad’s side, Agha Salman and Jordan Cox emerged as the standout performers with the bat, providing some stability amidst the disciplined onslaught by Mohammad Ali and Abbas Afridi. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against the relentless attack from the Multan bowlers. Mohammad Ali’s outstanding performance showcased riveting fast bowling, effectively swinging the ball, generating pace and bounce, and delivering accurate yorkers. The entire Multan Sultans bowling unit played a pivotal role in restricting Islamabad United’s scoring. As Multan Sultans celebrate their victory, Islamabad United will reflect on their batting woes and aim to bounce back in the upcoming matches of PSL 2024.
