Image Credit- PSL
In the Pakistan Super League on Tuesday, Multan
Sultans recorded their second straight victory by using pace to stifle
Islamabad United’s batting prowess.
In the last overs, Mohammed Ali, a fast bowler, bowled out Islamabad for 144,
taking 3-19 as he swung the new ball and produced some stunning yorkers.
After making an undefeated 79 in the Sultans’ victory over the Karachi Kings,
Reeza Hendricks then hit 58 off 46 balls to send the previous year’s finalists
into the last over with a five-wicket lead.
Imad Wasim dropped Mohammad Rizwan, who went on to
score 43 off 33 balls, in the opening over, and Hendricks in the eighth over,
allowing the pair to put up a 71-run stand for the second wicket, disappointing
Islamabad with some careless fielding.
Following a shoulder injury, Naseem Shah bowled a memorable first over, cleanly
dismissing Dawid Malan for zero as the fast bowler attempted to settle into a
rhythm with figures of 2 for 27 off his four overs.
After Rizwan won the toss and chose to field,
Islamabad conceded cheap runs through the wickets of Colin Munro and Alex Hales
during the batting powerplay.
Hales was caught at deep square leg by David Willey as he attempted a big shot,
and Ali smashed Munro’s stumps with a quick delivery that flew at the left-hand
batter from around the wicket.
Khushdil Shah fumbled catches, which Agha Salman (52) and Jordan Cox (41) both
took advantage of to create a 68-run stand. Usama Mir (2-29), a legspinner,
contributed quickly to drive back Islamabad by taking wickets of Cox and
power-hitter Azam Khan.
Shadab Khan, the captain of Islamabad, added 35 with
Salman after smashing a prolific half-century in the team’s first-ever victory
over Lahore Qalandars. However, Abbas Afridi (3-33) and Ali struck frequently
in the last overs before the Islamabad innings ended.
Khushdil atoned for his two early fielding errors when he caught Salman in the
deep off a legcutter from Afridi. Afridi had effectively altered his pace and
had Shadab clean bowled off a length ball.
Multan joined Quetta Gladiators atop the table with
four points from two wins while Islamabad has two points from two games.