Cricket

Islamabad United's relentless pursuit of a playoff berth culminated in a thrilling three-wicket victory over league leaders Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The two-time champions showcased their resilience and firepower in a high-scoring encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Colin Munro, the New Zealand opener, set the tone for Islamabad's chase with a blistering 84 off just 40 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he dispatched the Multan bowlers to all corners of the ground. Captain Shadab Khan provided able support, contributing a valuable 54 off 31 balls.The duo's 141-run partnership laid the foundation for Islamabad's victory. However, the Sultans fought back valiantly, with Usman Khan leading the charge with an unbeaten century. The left-hander struck 15 fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock, anchoring Multan's innings and setting a formidable target of 228 for 7.Despite the early loss of Alex Hales and Agha Salman, Munro and Shadab kept Islamabad's hopes alive. Their aggressive approach put pressure on the Sultans' bowlers, who struggled to contain the onslaught. Imad Wasim's unbeaten 30 in the latter stages of the chase proved crucial, as Islamabad reached the target with three wickets to spare.The victory propelled Islamabad United into the playoffs, where they will face the Karachi Kings in the first eliminator. Multan Sultans, despite the loss, remain atop the standings with 12 points and a game in hand.

Islamabad United emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, securing a crucial five-wicket win. The match witnessed a dominant performance from United's fast bowlers, Tymal Mills and Faheem Ashraf, who dismantled Karachi's top order.Mills, making his first appearance in the Rawalpindi leg, proved his worth with an impressive 3 for 34. His deceptive bowling proved too much for Shan Masood and Tim Seifert, who were dismissed for 10 and 26 respectively. Ashraf also played a pivotal role, claiming the wickets of both openers with his cunning deliveries.Karachi's batting lineup struggled to gain momentum, with only Kieron Pollard (39) and James Vince (29) managing to form a substantial partnership. Mills broke the 58-run stand between the duo, dismissing Vince with a delivery that seamed away from the batsman.United's chase began with a shaky start as Mir Hamza dismissed Alex Hales and Colin Munro within the powerplay. However, captain Shadab Khan (34) and Agha Salman (33) steadied the innings with a cautious 56-run partnership.After Salman's dismissal, United lost three wickets in quick succession, but Haider Ali (26*) and Ashraf (12*) guided the team to victory in the 18.4th over.The win propelled Islamabad United to second place in the standings with nine points, while Karachi Kings' playoff hopes took a significant blow. They now need to win their remaining two games and rely on other teams to lose in order to qualify for the playoffs.

In a thrilling moment during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, a young ball-boy stole the show with an extraordinary catch beyond the boundary rope.Despite the batter earning six runs for clearing the rope, it was the ball-boy's diving catch that captivated the crowd and earned praise from Kiwi star Colin Munro. Munro, positioned near the boundary where the catch was taken, was astonished by the child's effort and embraced him in a warm hug.The incident occurred during a delivery from Islamabad pacer Faheem Ashraf, which Zalmi's Amer Jamal hit for a maximum. Earlier in the match, the same ball-boy had dropped a catch, but he redeemed himself with this spectacular effort.The ball marginally crossed the rope, but the sight of a fielder celebrating a six while sharing a light-hearted moment with the ball-boy created a memorable moment.Islamabad United emerged victorious in the match, restricting Peshawar Zalmi to 167/9 after scoring 196/4 themselves. Shadab Khan was named the player of the match.In his post-match comments, Shadab Khan praised the team's performance and highlighted the importance of momentum on the Rawalpindi pitch. He also expressed confidence in the team's pace attack and the development of young players like Hunain.The ball-boy's catch not only showcased his athleticism but also highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship and the camaraderie between players and support staff. It was a moment that will be remembered long after the match itself.