Momin, Philippe star in Multan Sultans' first win

Skipper Turner scored 43 not out in successful 172-run chase over Islamabad United

Josh Philippe’s 35-ball 55, Ashton Turner’s unbeaten 43 off 28 and Momin Qamar’s 3-24 powered Multan Sultans to a five-wicket win over Islamabad United as they chased the 172-run target in 18.4 overs to register their first win in the HBL Pakistan Super League 11 here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday night.

Coming in at 16 for one in the third over, Philippe joined forces with skipper Steven Smith to put the chase on the track with a 45-run stand for the second wicket. The pair took Mohammad Salman Mirza to cleaners, smashing three sixes in a 21-run fourth over.

Philippe then collected two more boundaries off Shadab Khan in the seventh over to move Multan to 60 for one. Smith’s steady31 off 23 balls, featuring one four and three sixes ended in the next over when Salman Irshad forced a mistimed shot that Shadab safely pouched at mid-off.

Shadab struck in the following over to remove Shan Masood for six. Philippe kept the momentum going, adding 61 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Ashton Turner as Multan raced to 131 in the 14th over and closed in on the target.

After Philippe departed, Arafat Minhas arrived to provide the finishing touches with a rapid 25 off 11 balls, cracking four fours and a six. Turner stayed unbeaten on 43 hitting three fours and one six as Multan completed the chase with eight balls remaining.

Salman Irshad (4-0-28-2) and Shadab Khan (4-0-36-2) picked up two wickets each.

Asked to bat first, Devon Conway and debutant Sameer Minhas provided their side with a 48-run opening partnership. Conway took charge in the second over, striking Mohammad Nawaz for a four and a six, while Sameer showed early intent with two sixes; first off Mohammad Wasim Jnr over covers and then off Peter Siddle over cow corner.

Siddle, however, responded well to break the opening stand in the sixth over, dismissing Conway for 26 off 23 balls, an innings featuring three fours and a six.

Wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous (11, 9b, 2x4s) then added 21 runs for the second wicket with Sameer before falling to Arafat Minhas in the ninth over.

Gous’ wicket initiated a brief collapse as Momin Qamar removed for28 off 21 balls, which included one four and two sixes.

Mark Chapman struck Momin for a six and two fours in the first three balls of the 12th over, but the wrist-spinner hit back in style by castling captain Shadab Khan with a googly.

Chapman then combined with Haider Ali for a 27-run partnership to keep the innings on track. The left-hander’s brisk knock ended on the final ball of the 15th over with the score at 130 for five, after he top-scored with a 21-ball 40 which included three fours and two sixes.

Momin struck again with the very next delivery, removing Haider Ali (13, 12b, 2x4s).

Faheem Ashraf then provided the late impetus with a brisk cameo of 17-ball 26, hitting three fours and one six. He began with a boundary off Wasim Jnr in the 18th over, followed it up with two fours off Peter Siddle in the penultimate over, and capped his effort with a six off Wasim in the final over to power his side to 171 for eight in 20 overs.

Apart from Momin’s three, Wasim Jnr picked up two wickets, while Arafat, Siddle and Nawaz struck once.

Scores in brief:

Match 4 – Multan Sultans beat Islamabad United by five wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Islamabad United 171-8, 20 overs (Mark Chapman 40, Sameer Minhas 28, Faheem Ashraf 26, Devon Conway 26; Momin Qamar 3-24, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-42)

Multan Sultans 175-5, 18.4 overs (Josh Philippe 55, Ashton Turner 43 not out, Steven Smith 31, Arafat Minhas 25; Salman Irshad 2-28, Shadab Khan 2-36)

Player of the match – Momin Qamar (Multan Sultans)

Sunday’s fixtures:

Quetta Gladiators v Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 2.30pm PKT

Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 7pm PKT