Islamabad United beats Multan Sultans by 8 wickets

LAHORE: Islamabad United, led by captain Luke Ronchi, defeated Multan Sultans on Saturday by eight wickets to register their first victory of the ongoing Pakistan Super League.

Islamabad United batsmen easily chased a 165-run target by the Multan Sultans with twenty balls to spare. Munro scored a half-century from 32 balls, smashing four sixes before being bowled by Shahid Afridi.

Ronchi led his team but was unable to finish the game until the end. He departed for 74 from 45 balls just before United required two runs. Ronchi pulled a delivery from Ilyas to finish the game but was caught by James Vince.

Amad Butt was the pick of the bowlers for Islamabad United as he took four wickets to reduce Multan Sultans to 164/8 after 20 overs. Rossow scored ten while Moeen Ali was dismissed for duck.

Skipper Shan Masood and Vince gave Islamabad a tough time at the beginning of the Sultans’ innings by standing their ground. Masood was dismissed by Faheem Ashraf and wickets kept on tumbling

Zeeshan Ashraf half-century late in the innings helped Multan Sultans post 164. He smashed 29-ball 50 which included three massive sixes and four fours.

Musa and Akif led an onslaught for the Sultans dismissing Afridi for 10 runs while Sohail Tanvir was out lbw by Butt for 11.

Earlier, United skipper Shadab won the toss and decided to bowl first on a fresh pitch. Multan Sultans handed Lahore Qalandars a five-wicket defeat on Friday.

Two-time champions Islamabad United lost the opening match of the tournament to defending champions Quetta Gladiators.