Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United Prediction: It's Sultan's fourth finals

Multan Sultans and Islamabad United are going head to head in the Finals of Pakistan Super League at National Stadium Karachi, Karachi East, Pakistan on 18th March, 2024. It's Sultan's fourth finals and they have lost the previous two. Who will win this game of cricket?

Mr. Reliable Mohd Rizwan, who has scored 381 runs in 11 matches, and the dynamic Usman Khan, with 373 runs in significantly fewer games, are key players in the Multan Sultans' batting line-up. Captain Rizwan provides a solid base for his team, allowing for explosive performances from other batsmen later on. Usman Khan, a top-order batsman, consistently scores runs in the middle overs, causing problems for opposing bowlers with his two centuries in a season and near miss for a third.

Johnson Charles, a powerful batsman who replaced Reeza Hendricks, has seamlessly integrated into the squad with 106 runs in just 3 innings, including a high score of 53. Iftikhar Ahmed has also been in good form, contributing crucial runs in the final overs of the game. The bowling department of Multan Sultans is well-rounded, featuring a mix of experienced players and young talent. Usama Mir, a leg-spinner, leads the team with 23 wickets in 11 matches, including a remarkable 6-wicket haul.

Mohd Ali adds pace to the attack with 18 wickets in 11 games, while David Willey showcases exceptional swing bowling with 14 wickets in 10 matches. Abbas Afridi and Chris Jordan have also contributed to the team's success with 13 and 6 wickets respectively.

Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Yasir Khan, Usman Khan, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali.

Leading the charge is Skipper Shadab Khan, who has scored an impressive 301 runs at a strike rate of 146, providing crucial impetus to the middle order with his aggressive batting style. Joining him is Agha Salman, who has been consistent in anchoring the middle order and has accumulated 300 runs at a strike rate of 142.85. Additionally, Martin Guptill has effectively filled the shoes of Colin Munro at the top of the order with key contributions in the knockouts.

However, Islamabad United needs better performances from their middle and lower order to support their top-order firepower. Opener Alex Hales, who is currently out of form, must contribute significantly, and Azam Khan needs to play a key role in finishing games. To challenge Multan Sultans, the team must improve their batting performance overall.

In terms of bowling, Naseem Shah is vital with his pace, swing, and accuracy, but he requires more support from the rest of the bowlers. Captain Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim have not been as impactful as expected, and other bowlers like Faheem Ashraf and Hunain Shah need to step up to contain the opposition's scoring in the middle overs.

Martin Guptill, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Obed McCoy.

Multan Sultans have only won one out of the three finals they have played. As they head into their fourth final, they may have some concerns about facing a strong United team that has won four consecutive matches. Nevertheless, Sultans have a balanced team with a combination of skill and experience that can excel in high-pressure situations typical of a final. Despite falling short of a trophy by just one run in the last final, we believe Multan Sultans will rectify that this time and emerge victorious in the final to claim the trophy. Our prediction is for Sultans to emerge as the winners of this match.