Twitter Reactions: Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi take Multan Sultans to maiden win this season

For the United, Luke Ronchi scored a half-century.

Published - 16 Feb 2019, 20:57 IST | Updated - 16 Feb 2019, 20:57 IST

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The encounter between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans in Dubai turned out to be a closely-fought affair. In the end, it was the Sultans, who managed to win by five wins and registered their maiden victory in this edition’s Pakistan Super League (PSL). The United, led by Mohammad Sami, would be disappointed that they couldn’t carry on after their win against Lahore Qalandars in the opening game.

Ronchi plays a lone hand

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Multan Sultans restricted the United to 125 for seven. From the United’s perspective, Luke Ronchi did a chunk of the work. The former international cricketer racked up 51 runs from 33 deliveries with one boundary and five over-boundaries. The veteran took his team off to a blistering start and eventually fell prey to leg-spinner Shahid Afridi in the ninth over.

Rizwan Hussain, Cameron Delport, Hussain Talat and Philip Salt got out for single digits. At one point in time, the United were reduced to 76 for six in 11.4 overs. Samit Patel and Faheem Ashraf churned out 20 runs each to ensure that Islamabad post a respectable score after 20 overs. Pacer Ali Shafiq, Afridi and left-arm speedster Junaid Khan got two wickets. Mohammad Irfan picked up the other wicket.

Sultans get over the line

The run-chase didn’t start on a great note as pacer Waqas Maqsood accounted for the wicket of Johnson Charles for a six-ball duck in the second over. Thereafter, Shan Masood and Laurie Evans put their heads down and cobbled together a steady stand of 37 runs from 37 balls. Evans couldn’t time the ball and managed only 15 runs from 25 balls before falling prey to leg-spin bowler Shadab Khan.

Masood succumbed to a run-out after scoring 26 runs with four boundaries. Then skipper Shoaib Malik and Hammad Azam added 32 runs together. Azam perished after an 18-ball 14. Malik didn’t play any rash stroke and remained not out on 31 runs. Afridi and the hulk-like Andre Russell threw the kitchen sink at everything and racked up quickfire knocks of 16 runs each to see the Sultans through.

Here is how Twitter lauded the Sultans

It was very difficult for Multan but he finally won
Well played Shoaib Malik
And Lala congratulations 👍
MS vs IU
HBL PSL 2019
— Farid Ahmed (@FaridFufu84) February 16, 2019

Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi 🤗
2009 vs 2019 #MSvIU #IUvMS #10YearsChallenge pic.twitter.com/8php9p0Meo
— Zalmi Qalandars 🇵🇰 (@iSaadAwais22) February 16, 2019

Good win for @MultanSultans
Shoaib Malik with another good knock and with the likes of Russel and Afridi hitting it out of the park, the Sultans look a dangerous outfit!!#IUvMS #PSL4
Time for the big one now though..#KKvsLQ #ComeOnQalandars 😍
— Ali Hadi Naqvi (@AliHadi_97) February 16, 2019

Man of the Match: Boom Boom
But thanks to Shoaib Malik for saving many of his fans from Heart attacks😂 love you Kaptaaaan saaaen👌 #PSL4 #IUvMS @realshoaibmalik
— Muhammad Noman (@Noman2294) February 16, 2019

You Beauty ShoaibMalik & ShahidAfridi…👏
MultanSultans ✌
— Ishfaq Ahmad (@born_Realist_IK) February 16, 2019

Boom Boom Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik – The best combination ever! I am rooting for Multan Sultans in the #PSL4. Who are you supporting? #IUvMS – #PSL2019
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) February 16, 2019

19 year old Umer Khan bowls to Shoaib Malik – a player who has played international cricket for longer than Umer’s age. This is the power of PSL. What a moment for him.
— Roha Nadeem (@RohaNadym) February 15, 2019

So now it’s Muhammad Sami bowling to Shoaib Malik and Afridi… the three men combined must’ve a 100 years of experience playing Cricket. #MSvIU #PSL4 https://t.co/Ili2ohdQDj
— Ali Khayam (@alikhayam_) February 16, 2019

Shoaib Malik, the most sensible player in current Pakistani squad ..#MSvIU
— dead inside, fake outside . (@uxmanxafar) February 16, 2019

Shahid Afridi You Beauty 💞✌️
— Waqar Jallotees (@waqar_jallotees) February 16, 2019

Asia cup wale 2 sixes yaad agay!😭💚 @SAfridiOfficial
SHAHID AFRIDI YOU BEAUTY!#MSvIU pic.twitter.com/74Q09TMSgj
— Maham | (@DheetAfridian) February 16, 2019

So Shahid Afridi today!
He took 2 wickets and a stunning catch!
And also made a new record of only leg spinner with the most wickets in T20s. 💥💙💚
And scored 16 runs With two Gigantic sixes
Shahid Afridi is unstoppable when it comes to making records!💥@SAfridiOfficial😘 pic.twitter.com/4ZoASJCwZM
— __S.H.A.H J.A.H.A.N__ (@shahjahan__10) February 16, 2019

Afridi did it again today
Another shahid afridi finish 🔥💥#MultanSultans pic.twitter.com/pE72xhUZDl
— Umar (@YyoungDesi) February 16, 2019

Shahid Afridi finishing in style for Multan Sultan
With Two Sixes 🔥#IUvMS #HBLPSL2019 pic.twitter.com/wX1juwT2u3
— 💚 SHOAIB 💚 (@Sarcastifieded) February 16, 2019

Shahid Afridi seals it with back to back SIXES! Multan Sultans off with a win in Season 4! #BoomBoomDay #KingOfSixes #MSvIU #PSL4 pic.twitter.com/Maf7fyzTF8
— Khalil Khan (@khalil_afridi10) February 16, 2019