The PSL so far: United dominance, Sultans’ poor form

As the Pakistan Super League (PSL) reaches its halfway point tonight with the 15th match of the regular season, it’s time to take a look at how the tenth iteration of Pakistan’s premier domestic league has gone so far.

United dominance

The defending champions Islamabad United have been dominant so far, winning all five of their matches thus far. Sahibzada Farhan and Colin Munro have been leading the charge with the bat. The former is the leading run scorer in the league, with 236 made in the five innings he’s played so far. His highest score came in United’s second match, as he scored 106 runs against the Peshawar Zalmi. Chris Munro had his best showing in the season opener, scoring an unbeaten 59 runs to comfortably complete their chase of the Lahore Qalandars.

Jason Holder has been spearheading United’s bowling attack. He dominated the first match of the season, taking four wickets total, two of which came on consecutive deliveries in the 15th over, sending off both Jahandad Khan and David Wiese for ducks. Holder had another incredible performance in United’s third game of the season against the Multan Sultans. He once again took four wickets, two of which came in the 17th over, the latter of which sent off Mohammad Hasnain for a duck. Holder is currently the leading wicket taker in the PSL, with 12 dismissals through five matches.

The Qalandars will have their shot at revenge next Wednesday, April 30, and United will look to continue their perfect season.

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Sultans’ poor form

The team that finished first in the table last season, losing only three of their ten matches, have only been able to win one of the five they have played so far this year. Despite an incredible knock from Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who made an unbeaten 105 off 63, an equally impressive knock from James Vince, who made 101 off 43, propelled the Karachi Kings to victory. Akif Javed tried his best to halt the Kings charge, taking two early wickets and another in the penultimate over, but it was to no avail.

The Sultan’s second match saw them face United, and Holder’s dominance stopped Multan from gaining any sort of momentum. Following the 47-run defeat to Islamabad was an even worse beating at the hands of the Peshawar Zalmi. After Saim Ayub dismissed Rizwan in the fourth over, Ali Raza and Arif Yaqoob took a combined seven wickets between the seventh and 12th. Mitchell Owen’s two wickets in the 16th over ended the match and Peshawar won by a staggering 120 runs.

Things looked better for the Sultans in their next match, as they finally got their first win of the season. Yasir Khan’s 87 off 44 led the Sultans to a total 228, before Michael Bracewell, Ubaid Shah, and Usama Mir dismantled the Qalandar’s batting line-up between the fourth and 16th over to help Multan win by 33 runs.

Unfortunately for the Sultans, they would then be forced to face United again. Despite a couple strong partnerships early on, Multan would only score 168 runs. United would complete their chase in the 18th over, behind Andries Gous’ 80 off 45, handing Multan their fourth loss of the season.

Nothing decided yet

While Islamabad has been incredible, and Multan has been less so, the season isn’t over yet. Quetta also only has one win, while both Peshawar and Lahore only have two. Karachi in second place currently has three. With half the season left to play, there’s still all to play for. With a few wins, Multan can become a contender and make it to the qualifiers. And United cant rest easy yet either. They need a couple more wins to confirm their place in the playoffs as well.

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