Multan Sultans defeated Islamabad United for the first time in three attempts this season to reach the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final for the first time. Mohammad Rizwan’s team put on a dominant show in every department in Qualifier at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, to clinch a comprehensive 31-run victory.
Rizwan himself fell for nought in the second over, to Akif Javed (1-50), after opting to bat. Shan Masood (25 off 22) got the start but failed to convert it to a big score. Shadab Khan (2-25) trapped him leg-before. Rilee Rossouw then fell for a duck, and Multan were left reeling at 59/3 in 7.5 overs.
The breakthrough partnership of the match began at this point, between Sohaib Maqsood (59 off 41) and Johnson Charles (41 off 21). They added 63 for the fourth wicket before Faheem Ashraf (2-35) removed both. Khushdil Shah (42*off 22) then took Multan to 174/5 from 145/5 in the 19th over of Javed to ensure a flourishing finish. They closed on 180/5.
Sohail Tanvir (3-17) bowled the in-form Colin Munro for a golden duck with the second ball of the chase. Muhammad Akhlaq (10) or Shadab did not last either. Iftikhar Ahmed looked positive, but a sharp bouncer from Blessing Muzarabani (3-31) took care of him.
Asif Ali (1) walked past Imran Tahir’s (2-29) slow leg-break before Rizwan stumped him. Islamabad were 61/5 at this stage.
Usman Khawaja (70) took 18 in 4 balls off Muzarabani in the 14th over to keep Islamabad’s hopes alive. Along with Hussain Talat (25), he added 50 runs for the sixth wicket before Tanvir got him.
There was little contest left once Khawaja fell. Islamabad were bowled out for 149 with an over left.
Brief Scores
Multan Sultans 180/5 in 20 overs (Maqsood 59; Shadab 2-25) beat Islamabad United 149 in 19 overs (Khawaja 70, Tanvir 3-17) by 31 runs. Player of the Match: Sohail Tanvir.