Multan Sultans Outclass Islamabad United with Complete Team Performance
LAHORE: A commanding all-round display led by Josh Philippe’s explosive half-century and Momin Qamar’s impressive three-wicket spell guided Multan Sultans to a convincing five-wicket win over Islamabad United in the fourth match of PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 172, the Sultans completed the task with relative ease, reaching the total with five wickets down and eight balls remaining.
The innings began on a shaky note as Sahibzada Farhan departed early in the third over with just 16 runs on the board. However, Philippe steadied things alongside Steve Smith, with the pair stitching together a quick 45-run stand to regain momentum.
Smith’s promising knock of 31 from 23 balls came to an end when Salman Irshad struck to break the partnership. Shortly after, captain Shadab Khan dismissed Shan Masood for a low score, reducing the Sultans to 70 for 3.
Philippe then played a key role in turning the game, adding 61 runs with skipper Ashton Turner for the fourth wicket. His aggressive 55 off 35 balls, featuring five boundaries and two sixes, put the Sultans firmly in control before Shadab removed him in the 15th over.
Arafat Minhas kept the pressure on Islamabad with a brisk 25 off just 11 deliveries, ensuring the chase stayed on track. Turner anchored the innings till the end with a composed unbeaten 43, while Mohammad Nawaz applied the finishing touches with a brief cameo.
For Islamabad United, Salman Irshad and Shadab Khan claimed two wickets each, while Imad Wasim chipped in with one.
Earlier, Multan’s decision to bowl first paid off as Islamabad United managed 171 for 8 in their 20 overs.
United’s openers Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas provided a solid start, putting on 48 runs before Conway was dismissed for 26 by Peter Siddle. Sameer added 28 but fell soon after, as Islamabad slipped into trouble with wickets falling in quick succession.
Mark Chapman then took charge of the innings, playing an attacking knock of 40 off 23 balls. He built brief partnerships but couldn’t carry on till the end, falling to Momin Qamar in the 15th over. Qamar struck again in the same over to remove Haider Ali, further denting United’s progress.
In the closing stages, Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf added some useful runs with a 30-run stand. Imad fell in the final over, while Faheem remained unbeaten with a handy 26 off 17 balls to push the total to a competitive score.
Momin Qamar was the standout performer with the ball for Multan, finishing with figures of 3 for 24. Mohammad Wasim Jr supported well with two wickets, while Nawaz, Arafat Minhas and Siddle picked up one each to complete a disciplined bowling effort.
