Holder Heroics Power Islamabad to Third Straight Win Over Sultans

Defending champions Islamabad United extended their unbeaten run in  PSL X, crushing Multan Sultans by 47 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night, with Jason Holder producing a stellar all-round performance to seal a dominant win.

United posted a commanding 202 for 6 after electing to bat first, and Holder’s late-innings onslaught — 32 not out off just 14 balls — proved decisive. He returned with the ball to claim 4 for 25, dismantling the Sultans’ lower-order and sealing Islamabad’s third consecutive win.

Multan’s chase never gained sustained momentum. Naseem Shah struck early, removing Shai Hope in the first over, but a brisk 59-run stand between Usman Khan (31 off 20) and Mohammad Rizwan (38 off 27) briefly revived hopes. However, once Imad Wasim dismissed Usman and Shadab Khan sent back Rizwan at 96, the innings began to unravel.

Iftikhar Ahmed (32 off 21) fought back briefly, but Holder returned to pick off David Willey, Usama Mir, and Mohammad Hasnain, leaving the Sultans all out for 155 in 18.4 overs. Imad Wasim also contributed with 2 for 33 in a well-rounded bowling display.

Earlier, Islamabad’s innings was built on a strong top-order platform led by the in-form Sahibzada Farhan, who smashed 53 off 35 (7 fours, 2 sixes). He shared valuable partnerships with Andries Gous and Colin Munro, the latter scoring a quickfire 48 from 25 deliveries (4x4s, 3x6s).

The real fireworks came at the death, as Haider Ali launched a 16-ball blitz of 33 runs (3 fours, 2 sixes), combining with Holder to plunder 64 runs in the final four overs, pushing United past the 200-run mark.

Multan’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, though Chris Jordan (2-41) picked up key wickets amid the carnage.

With this win, Islamabad consolidated their position at the top of the table, while Multan Sultans are yet to open their account after two straight defeats.

Scores in brief:

Match 7 – Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by 47 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Islamabad United: 202-6 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 53, Colin Munro 48, Haider Ali 33, Jason Holder 32*; Chris Jordan 2-41)
Multan Sultans: 155 all out in 18.4 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 38, Iftikhar Ahmed 32, Usman Khan 31; Jason Holder 4-25, Imad Wasim 2-33)

Player of the Match: Jason Holder (Islamabad United)

Next Fixture: Friday – Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators at National Bank Stadium, Karachi; 8:00 PM PKT