Colin Munro’s scintillating 40-ball 80 and Imad Wasim’s quickfire and unbeaten 13-ball 30 roared Islamabad United into the playoffs against Multan Sultans in the 27th match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS
Chasing an insurmountable 229, the United held their nerves till the last ball to register the third highest run chase in the tournament. It was Imad Wasim who clobbered a boundary off Abbas Afridi to do wonders.
The United were off to a shaky start, losing two wickets for just four runs when Alex Hales was removed by David Willey on a first-ball duck.
But Munro found an ably ally in skipper Shadab Khan, with whom he formed a 64-ball 141, partnership, which was the third highest partnership for the United against any opposition in the domestic marquee tournament.
The highlight of the United’s innings was the fiery batting by the seasoned New Zealander, Munro, who plundered 14 singles, two doubles to smash 84, complementing nine boundaries and five towering sixes. He merely played eight dot balls in his smoky knock.
Shadab Khan played beautifully for his 31-ball 54, studding with six boundaries and two sixes.
Imad Wasim played a blinder to ensure United sealed the playoff spot. He only played a single-dot ball out of his 13 deliveries. He plundered six singles and one double. Imad creamed six boundaries and one towering six.
Haider Ali (13-ball 19) and Faheem Ashraf (23-ball 14) showed some resistance with the bat.
Agha Salman could not show resistance with the willow and went on to depart for 5-ball 2.
Naseem Shah remained unbeaten on 1-ball 1.
For the Sultans, Abbas Afridi (3-40) scooped up three wickets.
Mohammad Ali (2-44) scooped up two wickets.
David Willey (1-30) and Chris Jordan (1-42) took a scalp apiece.
Usama Mir became the second most expensive bowler in the history of the PSL, conceding 68 runs without bagging a wicket.
MULTAN SULTANS' INNINGS
After being put into bat, the Sultans posted a challenging 228-4, courtesy of the blazing, unbeaten, and third PSL century by Usman Khan. He scored an unconquered 50-ball 100, lacing with 15 boundaries and three sixes.
Usman had played 12 dot balls and picked up 16 singles. Interestingly, he bagged 15 boundaries and three sixes.
The West Indian batting powerhouse, Johnson Charles, played 18-ball 42, lacing with three boundaries and three towering sixes.
Yasir Khan scored 16-ball 33, and Mohammad Rizwan scored 17-ball 20.
Iftikhar Ahmed scored a 12-ball 13.
Chris Jordan remained unbeaten, scoring 7-ball 15, clobbering one boundary and one towering six.
For the United, Faheem Ashraf (2-32) scooped up two wickets.
Naseem Shah (1-31) and Hunain Shah (1-29) took a scalp each.
Imad Wasim (0-29) and Tymal Mill (0-52) remained wicketless.
PLAYER OF MATCH
Munro bagged player of the match for smashing fiery 40-ball 80.
