Sultans Face Second Straight Defeat in PSL 10

RAWALPINDI: Following Multan Sultans’ recent loss to Islamabad United at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, captain Mohammad Rizwan addressed his team’s performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10.

During the post-match discussion, Rizwan commented on the team’s shortcomings and identified areas needing improvement.

Rizwan stated, “They achieved a higher score than we anticipated. The pitch offered some grip. We missed some crucial opportunities, allowing them to gain momentum. We are still in the process of identifying our ideal lineup. We failed to capitalize on critical junctures in the match. It’s still early in the tournament, and we haven’t performed optimally with either the bat or the ball. We aim to do better.”

Notably, Islamabad United’s victory by 47 runs over the Sultans in the tournament’s seventh match was largely fueled by Sahibzada Farhan’s impressive half-century and Jason Holder’s remarkable four-wicket haul.

Despite a resilient innings from captain Mohammad Rizwan, Multan Sultans were dismissed for 155 in 18.4 overs while pursuing a significant 203-run target.

Rizwan led his team’s scoring efforts with a 27-ball 38, featuring three boundaries and one six. His departure led to a subsequent collapse, with the Sultans losing their final six wickets for a mere 59 runs.

Earlier in the match, after being sent to bat first, Islamabad United’s strong batting lineup posted a total of 202/6 in their allotted 20 overs, recovering from a mid-innings slowdown.

Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Andries Gous initiated the innings with a steady partnership, contributing 45 runs in 4.4 overs before Gous was removed by David Willey.

Farhan then collaborated with Colin Munro for a brief 35-run partnership and ultimately emerged as United’s top scorer with a 36-ball 53, comprising seven fours and two sixes, before being dismissed in the ninth over.

Later on, Haider Ali, returning to the team, and all-rounder Jason Holder contributed a rapid 49 runs for the sixth wicket.

Haider was dismissed on the final ball of the penultimate over, following a solid 16-ball 33, which included three fours and two sixes.