Sunday’s eighth match at Multan Cricket Stadium saw Multan Sultans defeat Islamabad United by 52 runs. Islamabad was all out for 138 in 17.5 overs, chasing 191 runs. At one point, Islamabad was 112-4, but they lost their last six wickets for just 26 runs. Rassie van der Dussen scored the most runs, scoring 49 in 32 balls with five fours and a six. Abbas Afridi, the pacer for Multan, was the best bowler, taking three overs to score 4-22.
In the meantime, Usama Mir also cut into Islamabad’s run chase with two wickets in one over, including the scalps of Shadab Khan and Colin Munro. Ihsanullah and Mohammad Ilyas each took two wickets. David Miller and Mohammad Rizwan hit fifty to help the home team reach 190-4 in their 20 overs earlier.
Miller provided his team with some quick runs at the tail end of the innings by scoring 52 runs in 25 balls, including three fours and four maximums. The South African also hit Islamabad captain Shadab Khan three times for sixes during his impressive innings.
In the meantime, captain Rizwan scored 50 runs in 38 balls, including five fours and a six. 36 runs were scored in 30 balls by Rilee Rossouw, who had scored fifty in the previous two games. On the other hand, Kieron Pollard managed 32 runs from 21 balls to remain unbeaten.
It should be noted that Islamabad United decided to bowl first against Multan Sultans after winning the toss. Shadab, Tom Curran, Rumman Raees, and Mohammad Wasim each took one wicket for United. For the matchup, each team made one change. Abrar Ahmed took Asif Ali’s place for Islamabad, and Sameen Gul took the place of Mohammad Ilyas for Multan.
Multan Eleven side
- Shan Masood
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk/c)
- Rilee Rossouw
- David Miller
- Kieron Pollard
- Khushdil Shah
- Carlos Brathwaite
- Usama Mir
- Abbas Afridi
- Ihsanullah
- Mohammad Ilyas
Islamabad Eleven Side
- Paul Stirling
- Hassan Nawaz
- Colin Munro
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azam Khan (wk)
- Shadab Khan (c)
- Tom Curran
- Faheem Ashraf
- Rumman Raees
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
Technical Analysis
The eighth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six took place on Sunday, April 4th, at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The Multan Sultans faced off against the Islamabad United, with the former securing a 52-run victory over the latter.
Batting first, Multan Sultans posted a formidable total of 190-4 in their 20 overs, thanks to the heroics of David Miller and Mohammad Rizwan, who both scored half-centuries. Miller’s contribution of 52 runs off just 25 deliveries was particularly impressive, as he smashed three fours and four sixes, including three off the bowling of Islamabad’s captain, Shadab Khan.
Rizwan played a captain’s knock, scoring 50 runs off 38 balls, including five fours and a six. Meanwhile, Rilee Rossouw continued his good form, scoring 36 runs off 30 balls. Kieron Pollard, the veteran West Indian all-rounder, remained unbeaten on 32 runs off 21 balls.
In response, Islamabad United got off to a good start, with Usman Khawaja and Colin Munro putting on a partnership of 55 runs for the first wicket. However, they lost their way after Khawaja was dismissed for 36 runs off 22 balls. Rassie van der Dussen top-scored for Islamabad with 49 runs off 32 balls, but he did not receive much support from his teammates.
Abbas Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, taking four wickets for just 22 runs in his three overs. Usama Mir also made an impact, taking two wickets in one over, including the crucial scalps of Shadab Khan and Colin Munro. Ihsanullah and Mohammad Ilyas each took two wickets.
Overall, it was a convincing victory for Multan Sultans, who have now won two out of their three matches in the tournament. Islamabad United, on the other hand, have won one and lost two of their three matches so far.
One of the key takeaways from this match was the importance of having a strong batting lineup in T20 cricket. Multan Sultans’ top-order batsmen set the foundation for a big total, which their middle-order and lower-order batsmen were able to capitalize on. In contrast, Islamabad United’s batting order collapsed after their top-order batsmen were dismissed.
Another takeaway was the impact of the bowlers in T20 cricket. While Multan Sultans’ batsmen performed well, it was their bowlers who ultimately won them the match. Abbas Afridi and Usama Mir were particularly impressive, taking a total of six wickets between them.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to improve their performance in all departments if they want to make it to the playoffs of the PSL season six. Multan Sultans will be buoyed by their strong batting performance in this match, but they will need their bowlers to continue taking wickets consistently. Islamabad United, on the other hand, will need their batsmen to step up and support their bowlers if they want to win more matches.
Conclusion
Firstly, having a strong batting lineup is crucial in T20 cricket. Multan Sultans’ top-order batsmen set the foundation for a big total, and their middle-order and lower-order batsmen were able to capitalize on it. On the other hand, Islamabad United’s batting order collapsed after their top-order batsmen were dismissed, which ultimately cost them the match.
Secondly, the importance of bowlers in T20 cricket cannot be overstated. While Multan Sultans’ batsmen performed well, it was their bowlers who ultimately won them the match. Abbas Afridi and Usama Mir were particularly impressive, taking a total of six wickets between them. Islamabad United’s bowlers, on the other hand, were not able to contain Multan Sultans’ batting lineup, which allowed them to post a challenging total.
Thirdly, making strategic changes to the playing XI can have a significant impact on the match result. In this match, both teams made one change to their lineup. Abrar Ahmed took Asif Ali’s place for Islamabad, while Sameen Gul took the place of Mohammad Ilyas for Multan. While the impact of these changes cannot be measured accurately, it is clear that they were made with a specific strategy in mind.
Fourthly, the importance of captaincy in T20 cricket cannot be ignored. Mohammad Rizwan, the captain of Multan Sultans, played a crucial role in setting the tone for his team’s batting performance. His half-century was instrumental in ensuring that his team posted a challenging total. In contrast, Shadab Khan, the captain of Islamabad United, was not able to make a significant impact with either the bat or the ball, which ultimately cost his team the match.
Finally, individual performances can have a significant impact on the match result. David Miller’s quick-fire half-century was the standout performance of the match and gave Multan Sultans the momentum they needed to post a big total. Similarly, Abbas Afridi’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in restricting Islamabad United’s run chase.
In conclusion, the Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United match in the Pakistan Super League season six highlighted the importance of having a strong batting lineup, the impact of bowlers, making strategic changes to the playing XI, the importance of captaincy, and individual performances. Teams that are able to excel in these areas are more likely to succeed in T20 cricket.