MULTAN – Islamabad United extended their unbeaten streak in the HBL Pakistan Super League with a commanding seven-wicket win over Multan Sultans on Wednesday night at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Just a day after securing their first win of the season, the Sultans were halted by the tournament’s most consistent side, who registered their fifth consecutive victory and further strengthened their hold at the top of the table.
Chasing a target of 169, United cruised to victory with 17 balls to spare, thanks to a sensational innings by opener Andries Gous, who smashed 80* off 45 balls, including six fours and five sixes. The American batter notched up his maiden PSL half-century and anchored the chase with poise.
After losing Sahibzada Farhan early for 22, Gous formed a 81-run partnership with Colin Munro, who scored a brisk 45 off 28 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes). The pair dominated the powerplay, racing to 69-1, and never looked back. Munro fell to Michael Bracewell, caught by Iftikhar Ahmed at long-on, but the momentum stayed with United.
Gous kept the scoreboard ticking, bringing up his fifty in 29 balls. He later smashed boundaries off Usama Mir and sixes off Chris Jordan and Ubaid Shah to seal the win. Mohammad Nawaz added 21 before being dismissed by Jordan, and Saad Masood remained unbeaten as United wrapped up the chase at 171-3 in 17.1 overs.
Sultans’ Struggles with the Bat
After choosing to bat first, Multan struggled to gain control despite a solid start. They posted 48 without loss in the powerplay but lost Yasir Khan (29 off 17) in the seventh over to Nawaz.
Usman Khan, dropped early in his innings, made the most of his reprieve, hitting 61 off 44 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes). However, the Sultans struggled for fluency at the other end, with skipper Mohammad Rizwan grinding to a run-a-ball 36 before falling to Shadab Khan in the 14th over.
Bracewell and Iftikhar fell cheaply, while Usman was eventually run out in the 19th over. A late cameo from Kamran Ghulam (13 not out) helped Multan finish at 168-5 — a total that proved well below par against a red-hot United batting lineup.
Score Summary
Multan Sultans – 168/5 in 20 overs
- Usman Khan 61, Mohammad Rizwan 36, Yasir Khan 29
- Nawaz 2-0-13-1, Shadab 3-0-29-1, Meredith 4-0-33-1, Holder 4-0-25-1
Islamabad United – 171/3 in 17.1 overs
- Andries Gous 80*, Colin Munro 45, Mohammad Nawaz 21
- Bracewell 4-0-31-1, Jordan 2-0-24-1, Ubaid 3.1-0-31-1
Result: Islamabad United won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Andries Gous
