PSL 2024 | MUL vs ISL, Match 5- Top Captain and Vice-captain Picks 

image-lstygswkAlex Hales will look to convert his start in the next match (Source: x.com)

The 2024 Pakistan Super League is brewing in its initial phase with teams trying to gain early momentum in the competition. Match five of the coveted league will see Multan Sultans (MUL) square off against Islamabad United (ISL) in the Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan. This is the home ground of the Mohammad Rizwan-led unit and they would look to make it two-in-two. 

The Sultans won their last game against the Karachi Kings by a huge 55-run margin. Reeza Hendricks and Dawid Malan were the stars with the willow while the pace unit collaborated as a unit to demolish the opposition team. Meanwhile, the United initiated their season with a victory over the defending champions in the curtain raiser of the tournament. Shadab Khan and Salman Agha were clinical with the bat in chasing a heavy total. 

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MUL vs ISL, Match 5- Toss Factor

The Multan Cricket Stadium is well known for its batting friendly wickets. It favours the batter throughout unless any carelessness. The spinners does not get proper assist at the start as its more or less a flat wicket. The pacers may come in the equation at the later half of the game but they need to be skillful to fetch gains.

Scenario: If Multan Sultans field first

The Sultans have a fearsome pace attack that includes good left-arm and right-arm variety in David Willey, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Shahnawaz Dahani. Iftikhar Ahmed and Usama Mir should be a utility factor during the middle overs while the chasing will rely heavily on renowned names such as Rizwan, Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Khusdil Shah, etc. 

Scenario: If Islamabad United fields first

The United have a batting unit that is capable of bringing carnage with the willow on any give day. Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Shadab Khan, Salma Agha, Azam Khan and Imad Wasim has the capability to belt down the bowlers and chase huge chunk of runs as they did against the defending champs in their last encounter. 


MUL vs ISL, Match 5- Top Captain and Vice-captain Picks 

Scenario: If Multan Sultans field first

Mohammad Rizwan (MUL): The wicketkeeper-batter is one of the best batters in the ongoing tournament and has a measured approach in chasing totals. One of the evidence was the century that he scored against Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup while chasing a humongous total. 

Salman Agha (ISL): The middle order batter has huge potential and hence he featured for the national team in recent times. He is a fabulous player of spin and has the ability to switch gears while grafting an innings. In addition, Agha can also turn out more than efficient with his finger spin. 


Scenario: If Islamabad United fields first

Shadab Khan (ISL): The right-handed all-rounder came into form in the first match of the mega-event as he smashed 41-ball 74* to steer his side past the finishing line in a run-scoring mayhem. Apart from his batting, Shadab will be key with his wrist spin as well.

Reeza Hendricks (MUL): The South African top-order batter is one of the best in the business when it comes to score pile of runs while batting first. Hendricks is an excellent player against both pace and spin and should love the flat tracks of Multan. 


MUL vs ISL, Match 5- High Risk, High Reward

Mohammad Ali (MUL): Although the right-arm pacer scalped a three-fer in the last game, he may lack consistency as it was the case when he featured for a Test match against Australia's last tour to Pakistan. However, Ali has the ability to hit the strappings consistently and could be a major factor in deciding the winner. 

Alex Hales (ISL): The English cricketer churned quick runs at the start in their last game but failed to convert it into a big score. Hales is no new customer when it comes to batting on these surfaces as he has played a lot of matches here in the past. However, his attacking nature with the bat makes him a risky pick.