PSL 2019: Multan Sultans ease to six-wicket victory over Islamabad United to climb off bottom

Multan Sultans bowlers Mohammed Irfan, left, and Junaid Khan (not pictured) were misery against Islamabad, going for just 28 runs between them. Courtesy Pakistan Cricket Board

Multan Sultans climbed off the bottom of the HBL Pakistan Super League table after a comfortable six-wicket win over Islamabad United on Tuesday night.

Umar Siddiq top-scored with 46 as Multan, who had been languishing at the foot of the league with one win in their first four matches, eased to victory with 11 balls to spare at the Dubai International Stadium.

The chase had been an easy one after another indifferent batting display by the defending champions.

Islamabad struggled to an under-par total of 121, as they were bowled out with over two overs unused.

Luke Ronchi, typically, got their effort off to a brisk start, with 32 in 16 balls, but once he went the rest of the Islamabad batting effort was limp.

Mohammed Irfan and Junaid Khan, the two Pakistan left-arm pace-bowlers, were miserly for Multan, going for just 28 runs in the seven overs they sent down between them.

Dan Christian’s stint with the ball was only brief, but remarkable. In the 10 balls he sent down, the Australian went for 19 runs, including two huge sixes, while he also took three wickets and was, at one point, on a hat-trick.

Christian also had a part to play with the bat for Multan. He arrived at the crease on the back of two quick wickets for Islamabad, and the chase apparently slowing.

He then hit the second ball he faced for a bigger six than either of those hit off his own bowling, and he saw the side through to victory alongside captain Shoaib Malik.

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