Rawalpindi: Multan Sultans have comprehensively beaten Islamabad United, in a 9-over per side context, to became the first team to ensure qualification for the play-off phase of the ongoing Pakistan Super League.
Multan restricted Islamabad to 91 for seven in their nine overs. Opener Colin Munro top-scored with 25 off 12 balls, including three all his three successive sixes to Shahid Afridi.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took two wickets for 13 runs in two while left-armer Junaid Khan took two for 13 in his two-over spell.
Luke Ronchi with 18 and captain Shadab Khan with 14 were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
In reply, the eventual Man-of-the-match, James Vince produced an authoritative innings of 64 runs off 24 balls (11 fours, one six) to ensure a comfortable win for Sultans with 14 balls to spare.
Zeeshan Ashraf (16), the only wicket fell while Moeen Ali remained not-out on 14. United captain Shadab Khan pocketed the solitary wicket fell.
Multan Sultans, with 11 points in seven games, are now comfortably placed at the top of the chart and have ensured a fantastic place in the play-offs.
Islamabad, on the other hand, are in a spot of bother after having just seven points in nine games, have a tough ask on their hands.