Match 29, Lahore, February 20, 2022, 08:00 PM
Islamabad United
105/7(20.0ov)
Multan Sultans
111/4(17.2ov)
Multan Sultans beat Islamabad United by 6 wickets
Right then, we are done with this match and have only one left to go in the league stage of this season's Pakistan Super League. Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi will be crossing swords at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) on Monday, 21st February 2022. Both have secured their place in the playoffs, so it's a dead-rubber in that sense but Zalmi have a very slim chance of finishing in the top two. Although that looks next to impossible, in this format, it's always better to sit on the fence and expect the unexpected. Do join us in advance for our coverage. Cheers!
Mohammad Rizwan, the winning captain of Multan Sultans, receives the T20I Cricketer of the Year trophy from the PCB. Says that the pitch was nice and it's important to adjust to the conditions. Tells that they were trying to give more opportunities to their bowlers and batters. Mentions that they don't want to take the pressure of the playoffs and focus on the process.
Asif Ali, the captain of Islamabad United, says that the pitch was different and the ball was not coming onto the bat. Shares that they will have a few foreign players joining them for the next round. Hopes that Shadab Khan will be back for the playoffs as well.
IMRAN TAHIR (4-0-8-2) IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH! The leggie says that he just believes in his plans and is pleased to deliver for the team. On Shahnawaz Dahani and Tim David copying his style of celebration, Tahir smiles and replies that a few years back, Shahnawaz Dahani would not have any chance to catch him and tells that the vibe in the team is great.
Presentation coming up...
Rilee Rossouw comes up for a quick chat. Says that he is doing fine, just has a bruised thumb and if needed, he would have batted. Adds that they have put in so much hard work and he is proud of the boys for winning 9 out of the 10 games. Tells that the pitch was on the slower side and feels that it's good to have an outing on this kind of a surface. Mentions that the team spirit is phenomenal in the dressing room and winning is giving them the momentum.
With Quetta Gladiators not winning by a big margin in their last league game this afternoon, the pressure on Islamabad United wasn't much. Marred by injuries and other reasons, they were forced to field a very inexperienced XI. The batting failed to stand in front of the might of the Multan bowlers and they managed only 105 runs on the board. Imran Tahir and Asif Afridi had a fantastic outing and the other Multan bowlers were exceptional as well. The bowlers of United also tried hard, Liam Dawson and Zahid Mahmood in particular, but eventually they didn't have enough to defend.
Multan Sultans have crossed the winning line and punched their ninth win of the season as they close the league stage! Given their outstanding batting form, we expected Sultans to demolish the paltry target but they were made to work hard by the Islamabad United bowlers, especially their spinners. Liam Dawson struck thrice inside the Powerplay to peg Multan back but since the required rate wasn't much, Mohammad Rizwan held one end and decided to chase down the target in singles. His partnerships with Tim David And David Willey were enough to help Multan Sultans register a hat-trick of wins.
In over# 18
6
0
Danish Aziz 6/0(0.2)
17.2
6
SIX! Rizwan finishes it off in style! A tossed up delivery outside off. Rizwan skips down the track and launches it over long off for a biggie. He brings up his fifty as well and Multan Sultans win by 6 wickets!
17.1
.
A shorter length delivery outside off. Rizwan punches it to covers now.
In over# 17
6
0
1
2lb
4
1lb
Marchant de Lange 23/0(3)
16.6
6
SIX! Marchant de Lange goes for a short delivery again but David Willey picks the length quickly. He slams it over deep square leg for a biggie. Scores are level now.
16.5
.
A length ball, on off. Willey blocks it out.
16.4
1
This time a dropped catch! Short delivery on middle, Rizwan pulls it but fails to keep it on the ground. The ball goes towards deep square leg where the fielder rushes across to his left but fails to hold on. They cross for a single.
16.3
2lb
NOT OUT! Length delivery on middle and leg. Rizwan walks across the stumps and tries to glance but misses. The ball hits his pad and goes toward the long leg fence. The batters run two leg byes. However, in the meanwhile, there is an appeal but the umpire is not interested. United take a review for an lbw. The replays roll in and the UltraEdge shows no bat involved. The Ball Tracker rolls and it shows the umpire's call on hitting the wickets. So Rizwan can continue.
Appeal for an lbw! Not given and Islamabad United have referred it. Nothing on the UltraEdge. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is in line and it's clipping the leg stump. Umpire's call. The original decision is restored. Mohammad Rizwan is safe.
16.2
4
FOUR! So a boundary finally and the partnership is now over 50! Short delivery on middle, Rizwan pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.
16.1
1lb
A length delivery angling into leg. Willey looks to clip it away but misses. The ball hits his pads and a leg bye is taken as the ball goes towards the leg side.