Reeza Hendricks’ circumspect 46-ball 58 and Mohammad Ali’s brilliant bowling display powered Multan Sultans to a five-wicket victory in a seesaw thriller in the 5th match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
MULTAN SULTANS' INNINGS
Chasing a target of 144, the Sultans edged the United with one ball remaining.
Iftikhar Ahmed plundered a final run to sweep past the Sultans against the United. One of the pluses for the United was the form that their frontline bowler, Naseem Shah, showed today, bowling brilliantly and bagging two wickets by merely giving 27 in his four overs.
Imad Wasim had also shown, why he is still one of the best in the business, irrespective of his international retirement. Imad got rid of Yasir Khan (8 off 11) and merely conceded 22 runs in his four overs.
However, Hendricks once again realised that his role after the dismissal of captain Mohammad Rizwan would be more crucial. He once again showed great spirit despite taking his time and went on to rack up a crucial 46-ball 58, lacing with six boundaries and one six.
Earlier, Rizwan was looking good before he was trapped by United captain Shadab Khan. In his 33-ball 43, Rizwan clobbered six boundaries and two sixes.
Dawid Malan, who had a good outing the other night against the Karachi Kings, was flummoxed by Naseem Shah on 0.
Iftikhar Ahmed had consumed 17 balls and compiled an unbeaten 18, ensuring his team’s victory against the two-time PSL champions. David Willed also remained unbeaten on 6-ball 7, motoring a boundary.
For the Sultans, Dawid Malan (0), Yasir Khan (8), and Khushdil Shah (3) failed to show any significant resistance with the bat.
Despite the loss, Shadab-inspired United will be pleased to see that their linchpin bowler, Naseem Shah, is showing great spirit with the bowl today. Naseem Shah (2-27) bagged two wickets.
Imad Wasim (1-22), Tymal Mills (1-31), and Shadab Khan (1-35) scooped up a wicket apiece.
Faheem Ashraf (0-15) and Ubaid Shah (0-15) remained wicketless.
ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS
Earlier, after being put to the test, the United were off to a shaky start, losing both the openers, Alex Hales (2 off 8) and Colin Munro (8 off 13).
But it was Agha Salman and Jordan Cox’s crucial 68-run partnership off 48, that allowed the United to set up 145-5 on the scorecard.
Agha Salman notched up a 43-ball 52, studding with three boundaries and two sixes, before he was removed by Abbas Afridi.
Jordan Cox was trapped by Usama Mir. Cox creamed two boundaries and two sixes in his 28-ball 41.
Other batters, Colin Munro (8), Alex Hales (2). Azam Khan (13), Imad Qasim (0), Shadab Khan (11) and Faheem Ashraf (1), Naseem Shah (2), and Ubaid Shah (0) failed to show any significant resistance with the bat.
For the Sultans, Mohammad Ali turned out to be a standout bowler for his side, scooping up three wickets by conceding merely 19 runs.
Abbas Afridi (3-33) had also scooped up three wickets.
Usama Mir (2-29) was outstanding with the bowl, grabbing two wickets.
Olly Stone (0-28) and Khushdil Shah (0-1) remained wicketless.
TOSS
During the toss, United captain Shadab Khan agreed that it was not up to the team to control the toss. But he resolved to field his team with an aggressive mindset.
Multan Sultans: Muhammad Rizwan (c & wk), Dawid Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Yasir Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, David Willey (vc), Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Ali, Olly Stone
Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Ubaid Shah, and Tymal Mills
