PSL 2026: IU vs MS Ends Dramatically with Islamabad United Earning Victory Over Multan Sultans by 4 wickets. Unbeaten half-century by Mark Chapman propels Islamabad United into Qualifying Round, Changing Playoff Landscape
Match Overview: Islamabad United Clinch Second Spot
Islamabad United successfully chased down the 192 target of Multan Sultans at Karachi’s National Stadium with four wickets remaining and eight balls left in their innings. As a result of this success, they leapfrogged Multan Sultans and rounded out their season with a second-place finish.
With this result:
- Islamabad United advance to Qualifier 1
- Multan Sultans drop to the Eliminator
- Peshawar Zalmi remain table-toppers
PSL 2026 Qualifiers Scenario Explained
The outcomes of the IU/MS match has set the playoffs matches as follows:
- Qualifier 1: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi
- Eliminator: Multan Sultans vs Hyderabad Kingsmen
The winner of Qualifier 1 is automatically across to the final, with the loser getting one more chance to qualify for the final against the winner of the Eliminator.
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Mark Chapman’s Match-Winning Knock
Mark Chapman rose to the occasion and scored an electrifying 69 from just 33 deliveries* while leading the charge for Islamabad United fantastically.
Important things that happened in his inning:
- Hit six big sixes
- Built an important 63-run stand with Shadab Khan
- Benefited from an early missed opportunity
- His batting helped Islamabad United easily cross the finishing line.
Support Act: Shadab Khan and Middle-Order Stability
After losing two early wickets, Shadab Khan contributed with a score of 36 runs from 28 balls, which enabled the innings to be built and to get settled again after losing Devon Conway and Mohsin Riaz. Subsequently, Shadab and Chapman were able to build their partnership and continue the run chase.
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Once Shadab left the field due to a run out and the team experienced a mini collapse, Chapman took care of business and got his team across the line with his batting performance.
Multan Sultans Innings: Late Surge Pushes Total to 192
Multan Sultans scored a formidable score due to an impressive run chase:
- Mohammad Wasim blasted 25 runs in the last over
- Arafat Minhas contributed 31 runs in 19 deliveries
- They put together a 56-run stand from the last 21 deliveries
This helped them convert their average score into a difficult one to chase.
Middle-Order Collapse Hurts Sultans
Multan Sultans got off to a good beginning but lost 4 wickets for only 32 runs quickly, falling from 102/2 down to 136/6. Their top run scorer was Shan Masood, who scored 44 runs from 33 balls and kept the innings together when early wickets fell.
But there was insufficient backing from the middle order that prevented the Sultans from fully capitalizing on their promising beginning.
Important Points in the IU vs MS, PSL 2026 Qualifiers
- Dropped catch by Chapman in his early innings
- Important partnership formed by Chapman and Shadab
- Explosive over played by Wasim
- Collapse of the Sultans’ middle order
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