The 13th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 will witness Multan Sultans locking horns with Islamabad United at the Multan Cricket Stadium on April 23, with the game scheduled to start at 8:30 PM IST. This encounter presents a battle between the defending champions Islamabad United, who are unbeaten so far, and the struggling Multan Sultans, who are still searching for their first win this season.
Team Overviews
Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans have had a nightmare start to PSL 2025. Before their fixture against Lahore Qalandars on April 22, they were winless in three games, losing all of them and finding themselves at the bottom of the points table. The Sultans, who finished as runners-up last season, have failed to live up to expectations this year.
Batting has been a major concern for Rizwan’s side. Despite scoring a big total in their first match, they couldn’t defend it. In the next two games, their batters struggled to chase even par scores. Their bowlers have been equally inconsistent — especially in the death overs, leaking runs at crucial moments.
Islamabad United
In stark contrast, Islamabad United are looking like a well-oiled machine. The defending champions have been unstoppable, winning all four of their matches so far. They currently sit on top of the table with 8 points and are playing with confidence and balance in both departments.
Sahibzada Farhan has been a revelation with the bat, while the bowling unit, led by Jason Holder, Imad Wasim, and Naseem Shah, has done the job flawlessly. Skipper Shadab Khan has also led from the front with both bat and ball.
Key Players to Watch
Multan Sultans
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Mohammad Rizwan: The Multan captain is their top scorer with 158 runs in 3 innings and boasts a strong record against Islamabad United, scoring 444 runs in 15 innings.
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Usama Mir: Last season’s top wicket-taker (24 wickets) and a consistent performer against IU, with 15 wickets in 13 matches.
Islamabad United
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Sahibzada Farhan: The tournament’s leading run-scorer with 214 runs in 4 innings, including a century and a fifty, striking at 165.
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Jason Holder: Leading the bowling charts for IU, providing vital breakthroughs, including 2 wickets in the last match.
Probable Playing XIs
Multan Sultans:
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Ashton Turner, Iftikhar Ahmed, David Willey, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah, Akif Javed.
Islamabad United:
Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan (wk), Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Shahzad, Haider Ali, Jason Holder, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah.
Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between Multan and Islamabad has been evenly matched. Out of 16 encounters, both sides have won 8 matches each. However, Islamabad United has won 4 out of the last 5 matches, clearly holding the upper hand in recent meetings.
Pitch & Weather Report
The pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium is flat and ideal for batting, especially in the first innings. The average first-innings score is around 172, and teams batting first have won 9 out of 13 matches at this venue. While spin and pace bowlers can find some assistance later on, the surface largely favors batters.
The weather will be clear and sunny, with temperatures between 31–37°C, and 0% chance of rain, meaning a full match is expected.
Match Prediction
Given the form of both sides, Islamabad United go into the match as clear favorites. Their batters are in top gear, and their bowling unit has clicked in almost every game. Multan Sultans, on the other hand, look unsettled, with underperforming bowlers and an inconsistent batting order.
Unless Rizwan leads from the front and someone like Usama Mir or Bracewell steps up with the ball, it will be hard for Multan to stop Islamabad’s momentum.
Prediction: Islamabad United to win