Farhan, Holder power Islamabad to third consecutive victory

Farhan, Holder Shine as Islamabad United Make It Three in a Row

Sahibzada Farhan's second consecutive half-century, backed by a stellar bowling performance led by Jason Holder, powered Islamabad United to a commanding 47-run win over Multan Sultans, extending their unbeaten run in the 2025 PSL.

Put in to bat, United had a quiet start. Multan's bowlers kept things tight early on, keeping Farhan and the struggling Andries Gous in check through the first half of the powerplay. But Farhan, coming off a century in the previous match, soon found his rhythm. He took Bracewell for 15 in the fourth over and repeated the dose in the sixth to give United a strong finish to the powerplay, even as Gous fell to a miscue off Willey.

Spinners Usama Mir and Ubaid Shah then clawed things back, with Mir conceding just six runs in two overs and removing Farhan soon after his fifty. But despite regular wickets — including Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, and Colin Munro (who cracked 48 off 25) — United kept the scoring rate healthy.

The final four overs saw a late assault as Haider Ali and Holder punished erratic bowling. Jordan was taken for three consecutive boundaries by Haider, while Holder hammered Ubaid Shah for a four and a six. Their late surge added 64 runs in the last four overs, pushing United beyond 200 for the second game in a row.

Multan’s Chase Falters After Fiery Start

Naseem Shah made an immediate impact, removing Shai Hope in the opening over. But he was expensive in his second, conceding 17 runs, and Riley Meredith’s opening over was even worse, going for 18 as Usman Khan cleared the ropes twice. Usman kept the Sultans ahead of the rate early, smashing 31 off 20 before falling to Imad Wasim just before the end of the powerplay.

That, however, marked the start of the slide. Shadab and Imad tightened the screws through the middle overs, allowing just 29 runs in five overs. The rising pressure forced Mohammad Rizwan into a miscalculated loft that landed in the deep.

Bracewell and Iftikhar Ahmed briefly threatened a comeback with a brisk 24-run stand, but Islamabad’s bowlers had their tails up. Holder took a brilliant catch to dismiss Bracewell off Meredith, who later caught Willey off Holder’s bowling — the pair effectively dismantling the lower order.

Holder then ripped through the tail, clean bowling both Usama Mir and Mohammad Hasnain before removing Iftikhar with a mistimed loft to long-off, sealing the Sultans’ innings at 155.

Key Performers:

• Sahibzada Farhan – Anchored United’s innings with a crucial half-century.

• Colin Munro – Provided the spark with a quickfire 48.

• Jason Holder – Dominated with the ball, finishing with multiple wickets and a game-changing spell.

• Shadab & Imad – Controlled the middle overs to strangle Multan’s chase.

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