Islamabad United have overpowered the Multan Sultans in the third match of this season’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) courtesy Lewis Gregory’s all-round heroics.
Islamabad skipper Shadab Khan won the toss and invited Sultans to bat first in the second match of Day 2.
The new skipper of Multan Mohammad Rizwan opened the innings with Chris Lynn. The Australian was removed in the second over by Faheem Ashraf.
After an early loss, James Vince joined Rizwan and the duo stitched a partnership of 48 before Vince (16) was caught by Faheem off Lewis Gregory’s bowling.
Rizwan (71) carried his magnificent International form, smacking a valuable half-century, well supported by Rilee Rossouw, who made 25 off just 14. The South African hit two fours and as many sixes in his short but useful innings.
Sohaib Maqsood (2) and Khushdil Shah (7) failed to deliver the punch but Carlos Brathwaite scored a crucial 22 off just 14 to take Multan to 150.
The flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi, disappointed yet again with the bat as he registered a golden duck giving third wicket to the debutant Mohammad Wasim Jnr.
Islamabad United's emerging player Wasim Jnr was the pick of the bowlers while Gregory took two of his own.
Hales and Salt provided a quick start to two-time champions as United raced to 30 in the first four overs before the latter was removed for 13, giving an opening to Sultans bowlers.
Hales looked good as he chalked up 29 but was undone by the ever-gold Afridi.
The wicket of Englishman made things interesting as Sultans got into the lower order of United pretty quickly.
Both Hussain Talat and Asif Ali disappointed as the former went for 16 while the later could only make 9.
Iftikhar Ahmed was run out for just 1 as Afridi was dynamic in the field.
At this stage, it was Multan's game to lose but Faheem and Gregory had other ideals achieving a 43-run stand for the 7th wicket with the Pakistani all-rounder contributing a healthy 22 off 12 before giving away his wicket with an easy catch.
However, it was Gregory’s night as his unbeaten 49 off just 31deliveries not just brought the men in red back into the game but win it with six balls to spare.
Islamabad skipper Shadab Khan won the toss and invited Sultans to bat first in the second match of Day 2.
The new skipper of Multan Mohammad Rizwan opened the innings with Chris Lynn. The Australian was removed in the second over by Faheem Ashraf.
After an early loss, James Vince joined Rizwan and the duo stitched a partnership of 48 before Vince (16) was caught by Faheem off Lewis Gregory’s bowling.
Rizwan (71) carried his magnificent International form, smacking a valuable half-century, well supported by Rilee Rossouw, who made 25 off just 14. The South African hit two fours and as many sixes in his short but useful innings.
Sohaib Maqsood (2) and Khushdil Shah (7) failed to deliver the punch but Carlos Brathwaite scored a crucial 22 off just 14 to take Multan to 150.
The flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi, disappointed yet again with the bat as he registered a golden duck giving third wicket to the debutant Mohammad Wasim Jnr.
Islamabad United's emerging player Wasim Jnr was the pick of the bowlers while Gregory took two of his own.
Hales and Salt provided a quick start to two-time champions as United raced to 30 in the first four overs before the latter was removed for 13, giving an opening to Sultans bowlers.
Hales looked good as he chalked up 29 but was undone by the ever-gold Afridi.
The wicket of Englishman made things interesting as Sultans got into the lower order of United pretty quickly.
Both Hussain Talat and Asif Ali disappointed as the former went for 16 while the later could only make 9.
Iftikhar Ahmed was run out for just 1 as Afridi was dynamic in the field.
At this stage, it was Multan's game to lose but Faheem and Gregory had other ideals achieving a 43-run stand for the 7th wicket with the Pakistani all-rounder contributing a healthy 22 off 12 before giving away his wicket with an easy catch.
However, it was Gregory’s night as his unbeaten 49 off just 31deliveries not just brought the men in red back into the game but win it with six balls to spare.
