By: Muhammad Khalid Siddiqui
On a warm April evening at the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium, Match 13 of HBL PSL 2025 delivered a telling statement from Islamabad United — they aren’t just participants this season, they’re contenders with purpose. With a commanding seven-wicket win over Multan Sultans, Islamabad not only preserved their unbeaten record but also showcased what clinical T20 cricket looks like in a pressure-filled league where margins often decide fortunes.
Multan Sultans, after winning the toss, opted to bat first — a decision that aligned with their recent strategy of putting scoreboard pressure on opponents. For the first half of the innings, things went as planned. Usman Khan, cool and collected, held the fort with a well-paced 61. His ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries helped Multan post a fighting total of 168/5 — not massive by modern standards, but respectable on a dry pitch that wasn’t exactly a batter’s paradise.
But from the moment Islamabad United’s openers strode out, there was a different energy. A focused, silent confidence — not flamboyant, just efficient. The match turned into a lesson for cricketing youth: composure under pressure trumps fireworks, and clarity of roles is more vital than chasing the limelight.
Andries Gous was the embodiment of that lesson. Unbeaten on 80 off just 45 balls, Gous batted like a man who knew exactly where every fielder was and what every bowler intended. His innings wasn’t just about big shots — though there were plenty — but about understanding the rhythm of the chase. He absorbed the early overs, pressed on the accelerator in the middle, and finished the job with zero fuss. That’s the kind of mature cricket young fans and players need to admire: aggressive, yes — but never reckless.
Colin Munro, his partner in destruction, added 45 with typical flair. Together, they stitched a vital partnership that not only eroded the target but also shattered Multan’s bowling plans. That was the real turning point — when Multan’s bowlers began to look for magic balls instead of sticking to their basics. You could almost see the pressure ripple through the field — a dropped chance here, a misfield there, and the game slipped away.
Multan’s decision to hold back impact bowlers till later overs backfired. When Gous and Munro were well set, no “death” magic could undo the damage already done. A classic example of missed strategic timing — a gamble that might work once in ten games but not against a team like Islamabad brimming with momentum and clarity.
From a performance-pressure lens, Multan’s younger players seemed tentative. With home crowd expectations, recent form hype, and a loud dressing room, it’s natural. But this is where team psychologists, mentors, and senior players need to step up. PSL has become a crucial platform for Pakistani youth development, and the psychological coaching now holds as much value as technique tuning.
On the other hand, Islamabad’s setup looks finely balanced. The mix of overseas reliability and domestic intent is ticking all the boxes. The camp feels light but focused — a formula that is quietly deadly in high-intensity leagues like this.
Also worth noting was the crowd. Full-house. Loud, loyal, and passionate — the Multan crowd proved again that PSL is more than just cricket; it’s emotion, identity, and regional pride. Even in defeat, they clapped for Usman, showing that good cricket still earns respect, even when it doesn’t bring points.
As the tournament marches toward its May 18 finale, teams will now begin to feel the burn of every missed opportunity. Multan, despite talent, needs to rethink their chase defense strategy and perhaps rotate their middle-order options. Islamabad, meanwhile, can breathe easy for now — but must guard against complacency.
This wasn’t just a match. It was a blueprint of how calm planning, effective partnerships, and smart execution can make a chase look easy — even when it isn’t.
About the Writer:…….Muhammad Khalid Siddiqui is a retired finance executive from Emirates Airlines, now a full-time columnist and sports enthusiast. With a passion for youth empowerment and community storytelling, he brings over five decades of insight into his writing. Currently exploring AI, digital media, and wellness, he writes to inspire and engage the next generation of thinkers and doers. Email : khalidsiddiqui@gmail.com
