KARACHI: Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by four wickets in the 40th match of PSL 11, thanks to a superb half-century from Mark Chapman at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night. The win helped United secure second place on the points table and set up a Qualifier clash against table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging target of 193, the three-time champions reached the total with six wickets down and eight balls remaining.
United did not start well, losing young opener Sameer Minhas for just one run in the second over with only 10 runs on the board.
Devon Conway scored 18 before getting out on the first ball of the sixth over after adding 31 runs for the second wicket with Mohsin Riaz, who made 25 off 17 balls before being dismissed by Faisal Akram soon after.
At 72 for 3 in 7.2 overs, Chapman and captain Shadab Khan rebuilt the innings with a crucial 63-run stand for the fourth wicket. The partnership ended in the 15th over when Shadab was dismissed after scoring a quick 36 off 28 balls, including five fours.
United then lost two wickets in quick succession, but Chapman remained composed and guided his team to victory in the second-last over with an unbeaten half-century. He led the scoring with 69 not out from 33 balls, hitting six sixes and four fours.
For Multan Sultans, Faisal Akram picked up two wickets but gave away 41 runs in his four overs, while Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ismail and Mohammad Imran took one wicket.
Earlier, Multan Sultans batted first and posted 197 for 7 in their 20 overs.
The innings was held together by vice-captain Shan Masood, while Arafat Minhas and Mohammad Wasim Jr provided late fireworks with an aggressive 55-run partnership in the lower order.
The Sultans made a strong start as openers Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan added 60 runs. Salman Mirza broke the stand by having Smith caught behind, and Farhan was dismissed on the very next ball by Shadab Khan, leaving the score at 60 for 2 in 6.1 overs. Both openers scored 30 each, hitting four fours and a six apiece.
After the early wickets, Shan Masood steadied the innings and added 42 runs for the third wicket with Josh Philippe, who scored a careful 11 off 13 balls before being dismissed by Imad Wasim in the 12th over.
Masood then built small partnerships with Ashton Turner, who made nine, and Arafat Minhas before being bowled by Salman Irshad in the 16th over. He was the top scorer for the Sultans, making 44 off 33 balls with three fours and two sixes.
Faheem Ashraf struck again in the next over, dismissing Mohammad Imran and reducing the Sultans to 136 for 6 in 16.3 overs.
Towards the end, Arafat Minhas accelerated the scoring with a quick 31 off 19 balls, including three sixes and a four. He was well supported by Mohammad Wasim Jr, who remained unbeaten on 26 from just nine balls. Together, they added 55 runs in the final 21 deliveries.
For United, Chris Green, Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf and captain Shadab Khan took one wicket each.
