Match 24, Rawalpindi, March 07, 2023, 07:30 PM
205/5(20.0ov)
209/8(19.5ov)
Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by 2 wickets
Right then, that is it from this run-fest where Islamabad United emerge victorious. However, the action in the Pakistan Super League 2023 continues on 8th March, Wednesday when Peshawar Zalmi takes on Quetta Gladiators. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know you can join us earlier for the build-up. Until then, Cheers and Goodbye!
Faheem Ashraf is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning half-centurty and two wickets.
Earlier in the innings, Multan Sultans posted a mammoth total on the board thanks to fifties from Tim David and Shan Masood and a quick-fire knock from Mohammad Rizwan. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim picked up a couple of wickets each. In reply, Islamabad United came out to bat with positive intent and in the end Faheem Ashraf absolutely took this game away from the Sultans and earned his side the crucial two points.
Multan Sultans will be really disappointed with their bowling effort here as losing after scoring over 200 runs is hard to swallow. They did well to restrict the Islamabad United in the Powerplay, but then allowed them to build a partnership in the middle. However, they did make a good comeback and were able to pick up wickets at regular intervals, but no bowler had any answer to Faheem Ashraf and in the end that costed them the game. Their death bowling will need to improve if they are to go far in this tournament. Anwar Ali was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Ihsanullah and Usama Mir got two each and Abbas Afridi contributed with one wicket. They will need to get over this defeat and comeback stronger in the next game.
Islamabad United got off to a steady start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz playing some lusty blows, but they lost him and Alex Hales before the end of the Powerplay. Then it was the partnership of 59 runs between Colin Munro and Shadab Khan which got them back in the game. However, both of them were dismissed in quick succession and they lost their way a bit and found themselves in a hole at 159 for 7. They looked down and out, but Faheem Ashraf never gave up and continued to chip in with the boundaries at one end losing partners at the other. At the fag end of the innings Mohammad Wasim also played a good cameo and took the total within touching distance. They needed 18 runs in the final over with two wickets in hand and Faheem Ashraf kept his calm and fired his side to a brilliant victory.
Take a bow, Faheem Ashraf! He has played an exceptional knock here and took Islamabad United over the line in this closely contested game. They chase down a huge total of 209 with one ball to spare. Multan Sultans will feel like they let this one slip away from them as at one point they were in a good position to win this match.
In over# 20
4
4
2
6
4
1wd
Mohammad Ilyas 54/0(3.5)
19.5
4
Four! This is lofted in the air and over the fielder at mid off. Bounces into the fence.
19.4
4
Four! That is a supreme insult to a bowler. The ball is driven straight back to where it came from.
19.3
2
2 runs, this is driven through mid on for a couple.
19.2
6
Six! Played guided towards third man.
19.1
4
Four! Wrong line and paddled. The batter gets it away to the fine leg fence.
19.1
1wd
Wide! This is down the side and let through.
In over# 19
0
1wd
0W
2
6
2
1
Anwar Ali 33/3(4)
18.6
.
No run. Play and a miss! The batter wasn't quite sure how to play that one.
18.6
1wd
Wide! That is left alone for the keeper to collect.
18.5
W
OUT.
18.4
2
2 runs, this is driven through mid on for a couple.
18.3
6
Six! That is pulled powerfully into the stands.