Islamabad United stamped their authority on the league stage by finishing in the top two, moving past the Multan Sultans with a six-wicket victory in the final match. Mark Chapman powered the chase with a rapid 69 not out off 33 balls as Islamabad successfully reeled in Multan’s 192-run target. The win also sets up a Qualifier clash with Peshawar Zalmi.
Quick facts
- Islamabad United secured a top-two finish with a six-wicket win over Multan Sultans.
- Mark Chapman struck 69* off 33 to guide Islamabad in the chase.
- Multan posted 192/7 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
- Shan Masood made 44, while Mohammad Wasim Jr. contributed a quick 26 (9 balls).
- Islamabad will face Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier; Multan will play Hyderabad Kingsmen in the first Eliminator.
- Brief scores: Multan Sultans 192/7 (20 overs) vs Islamabad United 193/6 (18.4 overs).
Multan were invited to bat first and started briskly, with their opening pair giving them a strong platform. Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan both compiled matching scores of 30, setting the tone early for a competitive total. However, the momentum didn’t last long.
The two openers departed in quick succession, with each wicket falling on the back of a tight spell at the end of the Powerplay. Smith was dismissed off the last ball of that phase, while Farhan followed immediately after. Josh Philippe then struggled to get going, managing only 11 from 13 balls, which left Multan needing contributions to keep the run-rate moving.
Still, Multan steadied the innings through a 42-run partnership between Philippe and Shan Masood. Masood played fluently, striking 44, and looked set to push the total higher. But wickets kept chipping away as Multan searched for a late surge.
Arafat Minhas added 31 to the cause, while Mohammad Wasim Jr. delivered the acceleration at the end. Wasim Jr. struck a quickfire 26 off just nine balls, helping Multan reach 192/7 at the finish. A key part of Islamabad’s control was that all six of their bowlers got among the wickets.
Chase: Chapman’s takeover
In reply, Islamabad got a fast start but lost both openers within the Powerplay. That early double blow could have derailed the chase, yet Shadab Khan and Mark Chapman built a crucial 63-run stand to keep Islamabad on track. Even as the contest swung, Chapman’s impact became the defining factor.
He had been dropped early by Wasim Jr., and he made them pay for it. Chapman unleashed a flurry of boundaries—six sixes and four fours—while wickets continued to fall at the other end. Islamabad’s momentum held, and Chapman carried the chase through to the finish.
The match was essentially sealed in the 19th over, when Chapman struck Wasim Jr. for a six and followed it with two fours. With that burst, Islamabad crossed the line and secured the win with six wickets in hand, finishing at 193/6 in 18.4 overs.
Multan, who had entered the encounter occupying second place on the table, will now take on Hyderabad Kingsmen in the first Eliminator. Islamabad, meanwhile, will turn their attention to the Qualifier against Peshawar Zalmi, after a league-stage finish that confirmed their top-two status.
Brief Scores: Multan Sultans 192/7 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 44; Chris Green 1-29) lost to Islamabad United 193/6 in 18.4 overs (Mark Chapman 69*; Faisal Akram 2-41) by six wickets.
