Islamabad United March Into Qualifier After Chapman’s Match-Winning Knock
KARACHI: A sparkling unbeaten knock from Mark Chapman, backed by a disciplined all-round bowling display, powered Islamabad United to a convincing four-wicket win over Multan Sultans in the 40th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
The win ensured United finished second on the points table, setting up a Qualifier clash against table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging 193, United reached the target with relative ease, losing six wickets but still having eight deliveries to spare. However, their innings began shakily as youngster Sameer Minhas departed early with just 10 runs on the board.
Devon Conway also failed to convert his start, falling for 18 after adding 31 runs with Mohsin Riaz, who chipped in with a quick 25 off 17 balls. His dismissal left United at 72/3 in 7.2 overs.
From there, Chapman took charge alongside skipper Shadab Khan, and the duo stitched together a crucial 63-run stand to steady the innings. Shadab contributed a brisk 36 off 28 balls, hitting five boundaries before departing in the 15th over.
Despite a couple of quick wickets falling later, Chapman remained composed and guided his side home in the penultimate over. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 69 from just 33 balls, smashing six sixes and four fours.
For the Sultans, Faisal Akram picked up two wickets but proved expensive, conceding 41 runs, while Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ismail and Mohammad Imran claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first by Shadab Khan, Multan Sultans posted a competitive 192/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Their innings began positively, with Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan adding 60 runs for the opening wicket. Smith was dismissed on the final ball of the powerplay by Salman Mirza, and Farhan followed immediately after, reducing the Sultans to 60/2.
Both openers scored 30 apiece, though Farhan faced one fewer delivery.
Following the early breakthroughs, vice-captain Shan Masood anchored the innings with a well-made 44 off 33 balls. He shared a 42-run stand with Josh Philippe, who made 11, before falling in the 16th over.
Late in the innings, Arafat Minhas provided the much-needed acceleration with a quickfire 31 off 19 deliveries, while Mohammad Wasim Jr added an unbeaten 26 from just nine balls. The pair’s late surge saw the Sultans add 55 runs in the final 21 balls.
For Islamabad United, Chris Green, Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan chipped in with a wicket each in a collective bowling effort.
