Sultans qualify for HBL PSL 6 final after win over United

Monitoring Desk

Abu Dhabi: Multan Sultans registered a 31-run win over Islamabad United on Monday to qualify for the final of HBL PSL 6.
Defending a target of 181 runs, Sohail Tanvir struck early for Sultans as he clean bowled Colin Munro on the second ball of the innings. Muhammad Akhlaq had a brief stay on the crease as well as he was run out for 10 after from a direct hit by Imran Khan.
United was banking on their captain to step up but Shadab Khan handed an easy catch Shan Masood at point. Usman Khawaja kept rotating the strike as wickets kept falling at the other end for United. Iftikhar Ahmed was caught behind on the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani, whereas Asif Ali was outfoxed by Imran Tahir and stumped for 1, thereby reducing United to 61-5.
Khawaja sprinted to his fifty in just 33 balls, keeping United alive in the chase. With United needing 90 runs from 42 balls, Khawaja decided to up the ante and hit Muzarabani for a six before completing a hat-trick of boundaries.
Sohail Tanvir returned in the 15th over to remove Khawaja for 70 and pick his third wicket of the match. Imran Tahir finished his four-over spell by removing Hasan Ali, who was looking to tee off from the get go. Muzaraban and Tanvir picked three wickets each to bowl out United for 149.
Earlier, brisk knocks from Sohaib Maqsood and Khushdil Shah helped Multan Sultans post 180-5 against Islamabad United.
Sultans were dealt an early blow as they lost their captain in the second over as Mohammad Rizwan was caught behind without opening his account.
In-form batsman Sohaib Maqsood made his intentios clear as he smashed three boundaries in Faheem Ashraf’s first over. Maqsood continued to accelerate as he dispatched Akif Javed for two sixes inside the powerplay.
After the powerplay, Shan Masood welcomed Shadab Khan into the attack with back to back boundaries. However, Shadab had the last laugh as he trapped Masood lbw on the next ball. Rilee Rossouw didn’t hang around for long as he was also trapped lbw for a duck in the same over.
Two quick wickets didn’t slow down Maqsood, who hit consecutive boundaries in the first over of Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Johnson Charles took a particular liking to Wasim Jr, hitting the emerging pacer for couple of sixes. Maqsood brought his fifty in style as he dispatched Hasan Ali for a six over cover.
United needed a breakthrough and Faheem responded by dismissing Johnson Chalres, who was caught by Iftikhar Ahmed after a brisk 41-run knock.
Faheem made further inroads in his final over as he brought an end to a fine 59-run knock by Sohaib Maqsood. Sultans’ run-rate took a hit due to quick wickets and needed a strong finish. Khushdil Shah went on a rampage in Akif Javed’s final over and hit the pacer for four consecutive sixes.
Khushdil’s blistering unbeaten 42-run inning from 22 balls, ensured a competitive total for Sultans.