Holder chips in as Islamabad United top Multan by seven wickets

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder made a quiet yet effective contribution on Wednesday as Islamabad United maintained their perfect record in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Shai Hope’s struggling Multan Sultans at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

While Hope was once again sidelined for the home team, Holder played a supporting role in the visitors’ bowling attack, returning figures of one for 25 from his four overs. His disciplined spell helped contain Multan to 168-5, a total that proved insufficient in the face of Islamabad’s in-form batting lineup, which got to 171-3 in just 17.1 overs.

Sent in to bat, Multan made a promising start as opener Yasir Khan partnered with captain Mohammad Rizwan in a 51-run opening stand. Khan contributed 29 before falling to Mohammad Nawaz, while Rizwan, who struck three boundaries in a 37-ball 36, teamed up with Usman Khan to add another 65 runs for the second wicket.

However, Islamabad wrestled back control in the middle overs. Rizwan was dismissed by Shadab Khan at 116 for 2, and despite Usman Khan’s valiant 61 off 40 balls, which featured four fours and four sixes, the home side failed to accelerate in the death overs. Holder claimed the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed (10), while Riley Meredith and Michael Bracewell chipped in with key dismissals. A late run-out of Usman Khan further blunted Multan’s momentum.

In reply, Islamabad’s chase was led by a blistering innings from South African-born American Andries Gous, who struck an unbeaten 80 from just 45 deliveries. After the early loss of Sahibzada Farhan (22), Gous shared a decisive 81-run stand with Colin Munro to steady the innings. Munro’s 45 off 28 balls—decorated with five boundaries and two sixes—kept the scoreboard ticking before falling to Bracewell with Islamabad well poised at 110 for 2.

Multan’s slim hopes of sparking a late collapse were extinguished as Gous continued to dominate, adding another 55 runs with Mohammad Nawaz (21) before Nawaz’s departure. Gous, whose innings included six fours and five towering sixes, sealed victory in the 18th over.

The result extended Islamabad United’s unbeaten run to five matches, as they consolidated their position at the top of the PSL standings with 10 points. In contrast, Multan Sultans, now with four losses, remain rooted to the bottom of the six-team table on just two points. (Sportsmax)