Multan Sultans scored 228/4 in 20 overs, where as Islamabad United scored 232/7 in 20 overs.
So, finally Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by 3 wickets.
Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi
In a thrilling encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Islamabad United clinched a last-ball victory over Multan Sultans, rendering Usman Khan’s remarkable unbeaten 50-ball century futile, and securing a spot in the playoffs.
Imad Wasim’s crucial six and boundary off the final two deliveries propelled the hosts to victory in their pursuit of 229 runs.
Multan Sultans, batting first, made a strong start with Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan’s explosive partnership yielding 44 runs in 4.3 overs before Yasir’s departure.
Despite Rizwan’s early exit with 58 runs on the board, Usman Khan and Johnson Charles kept the momentum going.
The duo initially took time to settle but launched a blistering attack in the 11th over, plundering boundaries and sixes off Hunain Shah.
Their onslaught continued against Shadab Khan and Tymal Mills, accumulating 50 runs in three overs.
Though Hunain Shah’s dropped catch gave Charles a lifeline in the 14th over, he fell to Faheem Ashraf shortly after.
Usman Khan’s assault intensified in the 16th over, particularly targeting Shadab Khan, amassing 19 runs.
Despite Islamabad’s shaky fielding display, Naseeem Shah’s disciplined bowling in the death overs restricted Multan Sultans to 228/4.
Islamabad’s chase started with setbacks as Alex Hales and Agha Salman fell cheaply.
However, Colin Munro initiated a counter-offensive alongside Shadab, propelling the score to 120/2 by the ninth over.
Their aggressive batting included three sixes off Usama Mir in the seventh over, followed by another 20 runs off the leg-spinner in the ninth over.
Multan Sultans fought back, with Shahid Afridi dismissing Shadab and Azam Khan in the 13th over, while Chris Jordan accounted for Munro’s wicket in the subsequent over.
Islamabad found themselves at 157/5 after 14 overs, requiring 72 runs from the final six.
Haider Ali accelerated the chase with three consecutive boundaries off Usama Mir.
Despite his expensive spell, Usama remained wicketless, conceding 68 runs in his quota of overs.
As the match entered its climax, Islamabad needed 12 runs off the last over.
Faheem Ashraf’s boundary off the second ball raised hopes, but Afridi’s tight bowling left the hosts with seven runs to score off the final two deliveries.
Imad Wasim, however, sealed the victory for Islamabad United.
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