Islamabad United ensured a top-two finish, leapfrogging the Multan Sultans with a six wicket win in the final game of the league stage. Mark Chapman's whirlwind 69* off 33 helped Islamabad hunt down Multan's 192-run target. Islamabad will now face Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier.
Asked to bat first, Multan's openers got the team off to a brisk start, with both Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan making identical 30s. They fell off consecutive deliveries - Smith off the last ball of the Powerplay and Farhan immediately after. While Josh Philippe struggled, making 11 off 13, he shared a 42-run stand with a fluent Shan Masood (44). Arafat Minhas's 31 and a quickfire nine-ball 26 from Mohammad Wasim Jr. ensured a strong finish for Multan as they reached 192/7. Each one of Islamabad's six bowlers picked up a wicket.
In reply, Islamabad lost both openers inside the Powerplay but a solid 63-run partnership between Shadab Khan and Mark Chapman kept them on track. The game appeared in the balance before Chapman, who was dropped early by Wasim Jr., unleashed. He struck six sixes and four fours and carried the team home despite wickets falling at the other end. The game was sealed in the 19th over with Chapman hitting Wasim Jr. for a six and two fours.
The Sultans, who came into the contest sitting at second place on the table, will now go up against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the first Eliminator.
Brief Scores: Multan Sultans 192/7 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 44; Chris Green 1-29) lost to Islamabad United 193/6 in 18.4 overs (Mark Chapman 69*; Faisal Akram 2-41) by six wickets.
