CRICKET POLL

Andries Gous (80 off 45 balls) starred as Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by seven wickets to extend their unbeaten run this season to five games. Chasing an under-par target of 169, Islamabad romped home with 17 balls to spare thanks to Gous and Colin Munro (45 off 28), who ensured that the visitors didn't have to break a sweat in the run chase.

The flawless run chase complemented Islamabad's disciplined bowling performance that restricted Multan's batters despite an aggressive fifty from Usman Khan (61 off 40), who was the only batter to make an impactful score for the home side.

When Rizwan won his second toss in two days on another decent batting surface, Multan would have fancied another big total, like the 228 they posted against the Lahore Qalandars one night ago. The Multan captain, however, struggled for tempo through his 37-ball 36 even as Yasir Khan perished after a flying 17-ball 29. The latter looked in great touch again after this 80-plus against Lahore but here, his start was disrupted by Mohammad Nawaz. Rizwan's scratchy innings was ended by his opposite number, Shadab Khan, who otherwise had an expensive spell.

Usman took over the mantle of upping Multan's impetus and batted with fluency while he was at the crease. The No.3 batter smashed four fours and as many sixes but found little support from the other end as the other batters struggled to get going. Having been 116/1 in the 14th over, the hosts could only manage 52 in the last six-seven overs even with wickets in hand. Islamabad's bowlers used their smarts and ensured that Multan ended with a well below-par total. Islamabad then virtually sealed the deal in the Powerplay itself, hammering 69 for the loss of just a solitary wicket.

Sahibzada Farhan struck a 13-ball 22 to ensure a fast start for the visitors while Gous was equally destructive in the first six overs alongside Munro. The second-wicket stand of 81 came off just 48 deliveries as Multan's bowlers were taken to the cleaners. The partnership was eventually broken by Michael Bracewell, who was the most economical of the Sultan bowlers. The damage, however, had been done by then, with Islamabad needing under a run-a-ball from then on.

Gous batted right through and his 55-run stand with Nawaz all but clinched the result for the visitors. The latter perished while trying to go for the glory hit before Gous duly finished the game with a maximum.

Brief scores: Multan Sultans 168/5 in 20 overs (Usman Khan 61, Mohammad Rizwan 36; Mohammad Nawaz 1-13) lost to Islamabad United 171/3 in 17.1 overs (Andries Gous 80*, Colin Munro 45; Michael Bracewell 1-31) by seven wickets.