Twitter Reactions: Islamabad United end Multan Sultans’ unbeaten streak in PSL 2021 second leg

Islamabad United continued their dominating run in the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL) as they managed to end the league stage as the table-toppers with eight wins from 10 matches.

On Saturday, June 19, they got past the Multan Sultans by four wickets with two balls left. With the victory, Shadab Khan and Co also ended the Mohammad Rizwan-led Sultans’ four-match winning streak.

Sultans collapse after Masood’s brilliance

After being inserted in, the Sultans blazed away to a flier, scoring 61 for no loss in the powerplay. Even as Rizwan played the sheet-anchor’s role, Shan Masood played the big shots. The duo cobbled together an opening wicket stand of 93 runs off 9.3 overs.

Iftikhar Ahmed separated the duo after getting rid of Masood, who was batting on 59 runs off 37 balls with six fours and three big sixes. Sohaib Maqsood started with a six and a four, but once Fawad Ahmed pinned him in the 12th over, the momentum shifted in favour of the United.

Mohammad Wasim, who had gone for 22 off his first seven balls, came back to pick up four wickets. Faheem Ashraf, on comeback, got two wickets as well. In the meantime, the Sultans were bowled out for 149 after being at 107 for one in 11.1 overs at one stage.

United crawl home

Since the United didn’t have Colin Munro and Usman Khawaja, Umar Amin and Muhammad Akhlaq opened the batting and got them off to a flying start. They put on 39 runs for the opening wicket off 26 balls before Shahnawaz Dhani pinned the latter, who was on 26 off 15.

Shadab Khan and Hussain Talat scored in the 30s to take the run-chase forward. The Sultans’ bowlers didn’t throw in the towel. Asif Ali carried on with his impressive form as he scored a timely 16-ball 25. In the end, with three runs left off the last four balls, the United got home after Iftikhar held his nerves.

For the Sultans, Dhani was again impressive as he got two wickets at an economy rate of 5.25. Usman Qadir, who replaced veteran Imran Tahir in the eleven, chipped in with a couple of crucial scalps as well.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Islamabad United’s win:

#HBLPSL My prediction for the line up of the final is Karachi Kings Vs Islamabad United. What’s yours?

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) June 19, 2021

Congrats Team @IsbUnited and sir @AliNaqvi808 Best of luck Team Islamabad united ❤️💯✅ upcoming next Matches

— Malik Imran (@Chakwali65) June 20, 2021

Proud of leading youngsters like Wasim Jr who keep bouncing back and showing character. This is what @IsbUnited is about. #UnitedWeWin pic.twitter.com/arcAXhLknE

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) June 19, 2021

ConGratulation Champions!🥳🎉
Islamabad United The Unstoppable Side In the #HBLPSL6
Another Game Another Victory🥳🥳
WellPlayed Boyss.#MSvsIU #MatchDikhao #RangJeetKaLaalHai pic.twitter.com/JZ1zJMqWLJ

— K T Abbasi (@g00d_Luc_k) June 20, 2021

Islamabad United is soo cool as the weather there. 8/10 matches win 🤙🏼🧡#islamabadunited

— honey🍯 (@Junegirlhere) June 20, 2021

Islamabad United is the best place for youngsters to groom on the other hand kings have given Danish two matches and Qasim Akram one match.

— زعیم! (@zaeemsays) June 19, 2021