Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans Live: Sultans Post 192/7 Against United

KARACHI: In match 40 of PSL 11 at the National Stadium, the Multan Sultans displayed a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting, posting a daunting 192/7 against Islamabad United. 

Backed by a collective batting effort and a late-innings surge, the Sultans have set a challenging target that leaves Islamabad needing a clinical chase to secure their playoff spot.

Masood and Farhan provide explosive foundation

Asked to bat first on a surface that offered true bounce, the Sultans' openers took immediate advantage of the powerplay. Shan Masood led from the front, anchoring the innings with a composed yet impactful 44 off 33 deliveries. Farhan’s cameo of 30 from just 18 balls set the tone in powerplay, as he dismantled the United pace attack with a series of clean strikes over the leg side.

Islamabad United’s captain struggled to find the right matchups early on. While the introduction of spin briefly slowed the scoring rate, the Sultans' top order remained proactive. By the end of the first ten overs, Multan had already crossed the 90-run mark, laying a platform for a massive total. 

The United bowlers, usually known for their disciplined death-bowling, appeared uncharacteristically erratic, leaking boundaries at crucial junctures.

Middle-order blitz and Minhas’s late heroics

The momentum continued into the middle overs, spearheaded by the experienced Steve Smith. Smith’s 30 off 19 balls was a showcase of surgical precision, as he manipulated the field with ease. However, just as Multan looked set to cross the 200-run threshold, United staged a brief comeback. A quick succession of wickets, sparked by a double-strike from the United seamers, momentarily halted the flow of runs and brought the game back into a temporary balance.

The final flourish, however, belonged to the young Arafat Minhas. Coming in with the mandate to finish strong, Minhas struck a blistering 31 off 19 balls. His fearless approach against the experienced United pacers ensured that the Sultans finished their 20 overs on a high note. 

Despite the flurry of wickets in the final two overs, which saw Multan end at 192/7, the psychological advantage clearly shifted toward the Sultans. Islamabad United now face a monumental task. With the National Stadium pitch expected to stay true, the chase will require a record-breaking effort from their star-studded batting lineup. 

The focus will be on the opening pair to provide a start similar to Multan’s if they are to keep their second-place aspirations alive.