PSL Match Highlights | Pakistan Super League, 2025 (Match – 13) – 23 April: Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United | IU got their 5th victory by a huge margin

MS vs IU (Match – 13) – Highlights

Defending champions Islamabad United extended their remarkable winning streak to five consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a dominant seven-wicket win over Multan Sultans at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday evening. This victory marked United’s 10th successive win, continuing their flawless run since PSL 2024, as they successfully chased down the Sultans’ target of 169 runs with 17 balls remaining. The star of the chase was opener Andries Gous, who played an outstanding knock of 80* off 45 balls, anchoring the chase with a stunning display that included six boundaries and five sixes.

With this triumph, IU not only increased its winning streak but also set a new milestone, becoming the first team to win 10 matches in a row. Multan Sultans, although falling short in this match, are second in the standings with an impressive eight-match winning streak. Islamabad’s dominance in this season has been unmatched, with their record-setting streak making them a formidable force in the league.

Gous, who played a crucial role in the chase, reached his maiden PSL half-century, but he did so in style. Despite losing his opening partner, Sahibzada Farhan, in the third over, Gous maintained his composure and continued to build the innings. Farhan had contributed 29 runs before being dismissed, but Gous was undeterred. No.3 batter Colin Munro joined him at the crease, and together they added a blistering 81 runs for the second wicket off just 48 balls. Munro’s aggressive knock of 45 runs off 28 balls, which included five fours and two sixes, helped further the chase before he was dismissed by Michael Bracewell in the 11th over.

With the partnership broken, Mohammad Nawaz came to the crease and supported Gous well, adding 55 runs for the third wicket. Nawaz’s 21 runs off 19 balls, including a four and a six, brought Islamabad closer to the target. Ultimately, Gous’s composed innings ensured that United crossed the line with ease, continuing their remarkable streak.

For Multan Sultans, the bowling attack was led by Michael Bracewell, Ubaid Shah, and Chris Jordan, who each claimed a wicket. Despite their efforts, the Sultans were unable to prevent Islamabad’s momentum, and United’s top order played with exceptional poise and aggression.

Earlier in the match, Multan Sultans had elected to bat first after winning the toss. The opening partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan gave them a strong start, as they put on 51 runs off just 6.4 overs. Yasir’s 29 runs off 17 balls, which included two sixes and four fours, were far greater than Rizwan’s 36 runs off 37 balls. However, the breakthrough came when Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Yasir, and Usman Khan walked in to continue the charge.

Usman Khan’s aggressive approach helped the Sultans maintain their momentum, and he reached a rapid half-century off just 29 balls. A partnership of 65 runs between Rizwan and Usman seemed to be taking the game away from United. However, Shadab Khan, the Islamabad captain, broke the stand in the 14th over by dismissing Rizwan. This led to a slowing of the Sultans’ run rate, and Islamabad bowlers tightened their grip on the game.

Shadab, Nawaz, Jason Holder, and Riley Meredith all picked up one wicket each, with the latter dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed, while Usman Khan was the top scorer for Sultans with 61 runs off 40 balls, including four fours and four sixes. Kamran Ghulam added a quick-fire 10 runs off six balls, with a boundary and a six, but it was not enough to boost the Sultans’ total significantly.

IU’s bowling sector performed admirably under strain, ensuring the MS were limited to a total of 168/7. United will now look forward to their upcoming clash with Lahore Qalandars on April 30 at Gaddafi Stadium, where they will aim to extend their winning streak even further.

Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United Scoreboard

Multan Sultans – 168/5 (20.0)

Islamabad United  – 171/3 (17.1)

Result – Islamabad United won by 7 wickets

Player of the match – Andries Gous

Andries Gous