Multan Sultans aims to bounce back in HBL PSL X match against Islamabad United

Former champions Multan Sultans are expected to break the winning run of defending champions Islamabad United when both franchises of the six-team PSL X meet in a crucial game at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi today.

Multan Sultans lost their opener against Karachi Kings by four wickets in Karachi but the brigade, being led by Mohammad Rizwan, impressed with the bat during the match.

Sultans posted 234-3 in the allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Rizwan led from the front and hammered a spectacular 105 not out off 63 balls with nine fours and five sixes to catapult his side to a huge total. This was his second PSL century.

Michael Bracewell also played a fiery knock in the end striking 17-ball 44 not out which carried five fours and three sixes. Kamran Ghulam chipped in with a 19-ball 36.

Kings achieved the target with four balls to spare after losing six wickets. James Vince (101) was simply unstoppable in that game and Khushdil Shah’s role was prolific as well as he scored a crucial 37-ball 60 and added with Vince 144 for the fifth-wicket stand to lift Kings from 79-4 to 223-5.

However, in bowling Multan Sultans were seen facing issues and especially the two overs from David Willey were expensive as he leaked 40 runs in it which eventually dented Sultans chances.

Weak links

Emerging fast bowler Shahid Aziz also failed to impress, conceding 32 runs in two overs. Sultans will need to bridge their weaker links. Even Chris Jordan, their key pacer, also faced issues and did not deliver as per expectations. At one stage when Kings required to score at almost 14 per over Khushdil hit Jordan for three successive sixes and that was the turning point as since then Kings got control over the proceedings.

If Sultans are to win Jordan will need to play his role. His yorker-length balls are really difficult to negotiate and he will have to use that weapon against United.

Spinner Usama Mir looked good and so was Michael Bracewell, who is regarded New Zealand’s most prolific spinner who also bats well.

Rizwan did not use shrewd tactics in captaincy at times and will need to use his bowling resources not only diligently but he will also need to encourage his bowlers and talk to them constantly how to bowl in the pressure situation.

United, on the other hand, have won their first two games and are in command with four points already in their pocket.

The record three-time winners conquered Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets in their opener in Pindi. Jason Holder (4-26) and Shadab Khan (3-25) bowled extremely well to dismiss Qalandars for 139.

United then rode on fine batting from Colin Munro (59*) and Salman Ali Agha (41*) to chase the target with 16 balls to spare after losing just two wickets.

United at the same venue then crushed Peshawar Zalmi by 102 runs to win a one-sided game. United posted 243-5 thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s dashing 106 from 52 balls and Colin Munro also once again did well striking a 27-ball 40 with six fours and a six.

Zalmi, in response, were skittled out for 141. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim got 3-26 while left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis (2-13) and Shadab Khan (2-29) bowled equally well.

United are a much-balanced side and it will not be easy for Sultans to beat them at their own backyard in Pindi which again is expected to pull a huge crowd.

Young leggie Saad Masood, who belongs to Rawalpindi, did quite well as he also made a few deliveries to turn well while playing for United.

Islamabad United:

Matthew Short (fitness issues), Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Sahibzada Farhan, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Ali Agha, Haider Al, Andries Gous, Colin Munro, Muhammad Nawaz, Rumman Raees, Salman Irshad, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood, Mohammad Shehzad, Riley Meredith, Rassie van der Dussen.

Multan Sultans:

Michael Bracewell, Mohammad Rizwan, Usama Mir, David Willey, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Akif Javed, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little, Faisal Akram, Tayyab Tahir, Ubaid Shah, Shahid Aziz, Johnson Charless, Mohammad Amir Burki, Shai Hope, Yasir Khan