Rawalpindi, April 16, 2025:
Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans by 47 runs in a repeat of the 2024 HBL Pakistan Super League final, completing a hat-trick of victories in the 10th edition of the PCB’s marquee tournament at their home ground in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.
Put into bat, Islamabad United piled on 72 runs in the final five overs to post a formidable total of 202 for six. In response, Multan Sultans reached 93 for three by the halfway stage but collapsed in the second half, managing only 62 runs for the loss of seven wickets to be bowled out for 155 in 18.5 overs.
This marked the first time since 2021 that Multan Sultans have lost both of their opening matches. On that occasion, they were defeated by Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi by three and six wickets, respectively – only to bounce back and win the final, beating Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs.
Islamabad United’s late innings surge was powered by Haider Ali and Jason Holder. Haider smashed three sixes and two fours in a 16-ball 33, while Holder hammered an unbeaten 32 off just 13 balls, including three sixes and two fours. The duo put together a game-changing 49-run partnership off just 22 deliveries for the sixth wicket. Earlier, openers Sahibzada Farhan (53 off 35) and Colin Munro (48 off 25) gave United a solid platform, taking the score to 136 for five by the 16th over.
Multan Sultans had managed to slow the run flow between overs 11 and 15, conceding only 38 runs during that period, before Haider and Holder’s onslaught in the death overs.
During their run chase, the Sultans struggled to build meaningful partnerships. The highest stand came for the second wicket, with Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan adding 52 runs off 32 balls. Usman scored 31 off 20 (three fours, two sixes), while Rizwan contributed 38 off 27 (three fours, our six).
Iftikhar Ahmed fought a lone battle with a 31-run knock, but the contest was all but over once half the side was dismissed for 120 in the 13th over.
Jason Holder capped off a stellar all-round performance with bowling figures of 4-0-25-4, earning him the Player of the Match award for the second time in three games. Imad Wasim also chipped in with two wickets for 33 runs.
Multan Sultans will next face Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 19 April.
Scores in brief:
HBL PSL 2025 Match 7 – Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by 47 runs
Islamabad United 202-6, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 52, Colin Munro 48, Haider Ali 33, Jason Holder 32 not out; Chris Jordan 2-41)
Multan Sultans 155 all-out, 18.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 38, Iftikhar Ahmed 32, Usman Khan 31; Jason Holder 4-25)
Player of the match – Jason Holder (Islamabad United)
