5 in 5 for Islamabad United as They Beat Multan Sultans
MULTAN: A clinical bowling display, followed by a brilliant unbeaten knock from Andries Gous, steered Islamabad United to a commanding seven-wicket win over Multan Sultans in the 13th match of PSL 10 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Set a modest target of 169, United chased it down with ease, finishing the game with 17 balls to spare and only three wickets down.
Despite a strong start to the innings, Islamabad lost opener Sahibzada Farhan early. He looked in fine touch, scoring 22 off 13 balls with three boundaries and a six, before falling to Ubaid Shah in the third over with the score at 29.
Andries Gous then anchored the innings superbly, partnering with Colin Munro for a solid 81-run stand that firmly tilted the momentum in United’s favour. Munro played a typically aggressive hand, hammering 45 off just 28 balls, laced with five fours and two maximums, before being dismissed by his New Zealand teammate Michael Bracewell in the 11th over.
Gous remained the star of the chase, staying till the end with a match-winning 80 off 45 deliveries*, striking six fours and five sixes in a classy display. He was well-supported by Mohammad Nawaz, who chipped in with a handy 21 off 19 balls during their 55-run stand.
Among the Sultans’ bowlers, only Chris Jordan, Bracewell, and Ubaid managed to get among the wickets.
Earlier, Multan opted to bat first but struggled to fully capitalize on a decent platform. Openers Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan put on 51 runs before Yasir, fresh from a match-winning 87 against Lahore, fell for 29 off 17 balls to Mohammad Nawaz.
Rizwan played a more measured knock of 36 off 37, managing just three boundaries before he was sent back by Shadab Khan.
Usman Khan provided the main resistance in the middle order with a well-compiled 61 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, but was run out in the penultimate over, halting Multan’s momentum late in the innings.
Michael Bracewell and Iftikhar Ahmed couldn’t convert their starts, while Kamran Ghulam added a quick-fire 13 off 6 to give the score a late boost.
For United, Shadab Khan, Nawaz, Jason Holder, and Riley Meredith picked up a wicket each to keep Multan to a chaseable total.
