Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans Live: Sultans Reach 60/1 in Powerplay

KARACHI: In a clash at the National Stadium, Multan Sultans concluded a productive powerplay at 60 for the loss of one wicket after being put into bat by Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan.

The contest began under a cloud of tactical intrigue as Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan opted to field first, citing a desire to exploit early moisture. Opening pair Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan immediately went on the offensive, capitalizing on a Karachi surface that offered early pace but little lateral movement. 

Smith, utilizing his unorthodox footwork, set the tone by piercing the off-side field with surgical precision, while Farhan provided the muscle, lofting United’s new-ball bowlers for a series of early boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking at ten runs per over. 

Tasked with the new ball, Islamabad's pace spearhead struggled to find the requisite length on a Karachi surface that offered true bounce but little lateral movement. While United attempted to tighten their lines, Sahibzada Farhan capitalized on a momentary lapse in discipline, dispatching a stray delivery over mid-wicket for a six.

The breakthrough for Islamabad United arrived in the final over of the powerplay. Just as the Sultans looked set to post a massive opening stand, a clinical piece of bowling, aided by a sharp grab in the deep, saw the end of one set opener, Steve Smith (30 off 19) by Salman Mirza. Despite the loss, the Sultans successfully maximized the mandatory restrictions, ending the sixth over with a solid platform of 60 runs. 

As the fielders spread out for the middle overs, the tactical battle shifted. Islamabad United succeeded in breaking the opening stand, but the Sultans remained in a dominant position with nine wickets in hand and a healthy run rate established. 

The onus now falls on United's spin twins of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim to squeeze the scoring rate and force further errors. 

Watch Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans live on tapmad.