PSL 9: Islamabad United Secures Qualification with Thrilling Victory Against Multan Sultans

Islamabad United beat table topper Multan Sultan by 3 wickets in a thrilling fixture of PSL 9 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

This thrilling encounter goes to the last ball where Islamabad spinner Imad Wasim guides the team toward victory.

Islamabad United has joined the other two teams Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans that are already qualified for the PSL 9 playoffs. While teams like Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators are still fighting for the playoffs.

Check: PSL Points Table for Season 9 and Remaining Matches

 

The 229 runs target was set by Multan on batting first, the opener batsman Usman Khan did another brilliant hundred for the team.

Islamabad United on the other side, Alex Hales and Salman Ali Agha lost their wickets in the first 2 overs.

Furthermore, after losing 2 wickets early Skipper Shadab Khan brought a bif 141 runs partnership with Colin Munro and brought the team back into the game.

Shadab played an innings of 54 runs on 34 balls and got dismissed on 145 runs in 12.2 overs but partner Colin Munro Stayed there.

Munro became Chris Jordan’s victim after making 84 runs on just 40 balls thanks to nine fours and five sixes by Munro.

Following the left-handed batter’s dismissal, dangerous batter Azam Khan came to bat but returned to the pavilion without scoring a single run on duck, increasing Islamabad’s worries.

However, Haider Ali (19) and Faheem Ashraf (23) provided crucial runs down the order after which Imad Wasim took his team over the line with his batting in the last over.

Batting first, Multan’s Usman Khan wrote history as he became just the first player to score two centuries in a single PSL edition.

The right-handed batter scored 100 off 50 balls with a whopping 15 fours and three sixes, completing his innings at an astounding 200 strike rate.

The Karachi-born has three centuries in just 14 PSL innings overall, which is the joint-most alongside former Peshawar Zalmi star Kamran Akmal who notched up as many centuries in 74 innings.

The 28-year-old also holds the record for the fastest century in the league when he smashed a 36-ball ton against Quetta Gladiators in PSL 8.

The Sultans didn’t have the greatest start as they just managed to score 58 runs in the powerplay on the loss of two wickets.

However, as soon as Mohammad Rizwan departed, Usman and Johnson Charles started to attack Islamabad bowlers and built a formidable 86-run partnership in just 50 balls.

Charles departed after scoring a quick 18-ball 42 with six boundaries, leaving his side at 144/3 in 13.2 overs. Soon after his dismissal, Iftikhar Ahmed came to bat but the 33-year-old couldn’t provide much and lost his wicket to Naseem Shah just after contributing 13 runs.

However, despite losing two wickets, Usman continued with his attacking prowess and took Multan to a 228-run total.

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