Defending champions Islamabad United extended their dominant run in HBL PSL X, securing their fifth consecutive victory with a seven-wicket win over Multan Sultans at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.

By PakPassion Staff (April 23rd, 2025)

Led by Shadab Khan, United clinched their 10th straight win since HBL PSL 2024, successfully chasing down a 169-run target with 17 balls to spare. Opening batter Andries Gous played a pivotal role, remaining unbeaten on 80 off 45 deliveries, smashing six fours and five sixes.

No team has ever recorded ten consecutive wins in HBL PSL history, with Multan Sultans ranking second with an eight-match streak.

Gous reached his maiden PSL half-century but lost his opening partner Sahibzada Farhan in the third over after an initial 29-run stand. Colin Munro then joined him and launched an aggressive counterattack, forging an 81-run second-wicket partnership in just 48 balls.

Munro contributed a brisk 45 off 28 balls, laced with five fours and two maximums, before Michael Bracewell dismissed him in the 11th over. Mohammad Nawaz (21 off 19) then partnered with Gous in a crucial 55-run third-wicket stand to bring United closer to victory.

For the Sultans, Bracewell, Ubaid Shah, and Chris Jordan picked up a wicket each.

Earlier, Multan Sultans opted to bat first after winning the toss. Their openers, Mohammad Rizwan (36 off 37) and Yasir Khan (29 off 17), stitched a solid 51-run stand in 6.4 overs before Nawaz struck to remove Yasir.

Usman Khan then arrived at the crease with intent, smashing a 29-ball fifty. His 65-run stand with Rizwan ended in the 14th over when Shadab Khan provided a crucial breakthrough, leaving Sultans at 116/3.

United’s bowlers tightened their grip in the final overs, conceding just 42 runs while dismissing Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, and top-scorer Usman Khan (61 off 40, four fours, four sixes). Kamran Ghulam finished the innings with an unbeaten 10 off six balls, including a six and a four.

Nawaz, Jason Holder, Shadab, and Riley Meredith each claimed a wicket for United.

Islamabad United will now lock horns with Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, 30 April.