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Gous Powers Islamabad United to Fifth Straight Win Over Multan Sultans in PSL 2025
A Masterclass in Chasing: Gous Leads Islamabad’s Dominance
Islamabad United stamped their authority on the Pakistan Super League 2025 with yet another clinical performance, securing a seven-wicket win over Multan Sultans. The match, held at a packed stadium under lights, saw Andries Gous steal the show with a scintillating unbeaten knock of 80 off 45 balls, guiding Islamabad to a comfortable chase of 169 in just 17.1 overs.
Gous’s fearless hitting, complemented by Colin Munro’s aggressive 45 off 28 balls, showcased the depth and firepower in Islamabad’s batting unit. This was Islamabad’s fifth consecutive win, solidifying their position as the team to beat this season.
Multan’s Missed Opportunity After a Solid Start
Rizwan’s Tactical Misstep and Usman Khan’s Lone Resistance
After winning the toss for the second time in as many days, Multan skipper Mohammad Rizwan elected to bat on a flat surface, aiming for another high-scoring innings similar to their 228-run performance against Lahore Qalandars. However, things didn’t pan out as planned.
Multan’s innings began with promise. Yasir Khan fired a brisk 17-ball 29, peppering the off-side with boundaries, but his momentum was cut short by a clever spell from Mohammad Nawaz. Rizwan, who has been reliable this season, struggled to find fluency, crawling to 36 off 37 deliveries — a knock that slowed the team’s tempo during the crucial middle overs.
Usman Khan Stands Tall Amidst Collapse
At No. 3, Usman Khan injected urgency into the innings. His 61 off 40 balls included four towering sixes and four crisply struck boundaries. He single-handedly kept the scoreboard ticking while others around him failed to capitalize on starts.
From a promising 116/1 in the 14th over, Multan managed only 52 runs in their final 6 overs — a reflection of Islamabad’s disciplined death bowling. Even with wickets in hand, Multan finished on a modest 168/5, far below what the surface offered.
Islamabad’s Blistering PowerPlay Sets the Tone
Farhan, Gous, and Munro Flatten Multan’s Attack
Chasing 169, Islamabad came out with a clear plan — attack early and take control. Sahibzada Farhan smashed 22 off just 13 balls, ensuring a rapid start. His brief but impactful cameo laid the foundation for what followed — a batting exhibition from Gous and Munro.
Together, the duo added 81 runs for the second wicket in under 8 overs. Munro attacked the spinners and pacers alike, while Gous played the anchor, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries.
By the end of the PowerPlay, Islamabad had surged to 69/1, demoralizing Multan’s bowlers. Despite Michael Bracewell’s disciplined spell of 1/31, Multan failed to create pressure. The ease with which Gous and Munro chased down the target reflected Islamabad’s superior planning and execution.
The Gous Show: Anchoring and Finishing Like a Pro
Strike Rotation, Boundary-Hitting, and a Match-Winning Knock
While most big knocks in T20s are explosive, Gous’s innings was a masterclass in balance. He rotated strike, found the gaps, and accelerated exactly when needed. His second-half of the innings saw a burst of boundaries, including the match-winning six that sealed the deal with 17 balls to spare.
Even after Munro’s dismissal, Gous found a steady partner in Nawaz. The pair added 55 runs and ensured there were no hiccups in the run chase. Gous remained unbeaten, finishing the match in style and earning the Player of the Match award.
Brief Scorecard
Multan Sultans – 168/5 in 20 overs
(Usman Khan 61, Mohammad Rizwan 36; Mohammad Nawaz 1-13)
Islamabad United – 171/3 in 17.1 overs
(Andries Gous 80*, Colin Munro 45; Michael Bracewell 1-31)
Key Takeaways from the Match
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Islamabad United remain unbeaten with 5 wins in PSL 2025.
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Andries Gous’s 80 off 45 balls* is one of the best knocks of the tournament so far.
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Multan’s middle order failed to convert a strong start into a winning total.
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Islamabad’s bowling attack showed great control, especially in the death overs.
📘 Related article: Islamabad’s Strategic Brilliance Continues
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