Islamabad all-rounder Faheem Ashraf gave an epic Player of The Match performance against last year’s runners-up Multan Sultans during the 24th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, staying unbeaten on 51 to nail run-chase of 206.
Stepping in to bat at number 6 with his team in a precarious position, the all-rounder had to watch from the other end as his teammates fell one after another to some brilliant display of bowling from Multan.
Faheem, however, didn’t crumble under pressure and took the game deep, eventually winning it for Islamabad United to take them to the table-top, alongside Shaheen Shah’s Lahore Qalandars.
Faheem Ashraf hits an OUTRAGEOUS SIX over third-man
Islamabad –already 8 down– needed 18 off the last over as Multan Sultans skipper Md. Rizwan threw the ball to Mohammad Ilyas.
The plan, understandably, was to keep the ball as wide as possible and out of Faheem’s reach. In the bid to execute the same, the pacer dished out a wide first ball and then generated an under-edge that went for four.
The wide-yorker plan being predictable, Faheem Ashraf set his bat face parallel to the ground and as Ilyas bowled another similar delivery, the all-rounder swung his blade to send the white cherry sailing over the third man rope for an outrageous maximum.
Signing off for tonight with this mystery!
Name this shot by the star of tonight’s chase @iFaheemAshraf 👇#IUvMS #HBLPSL8 Gif: @taimoorze https://t.co/BoTlLU4N5x
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 7, 2023
The nerves. THE MIGHT of @iFaheemAshraf.
We stand in awe. #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray l #IUvMS pic.twitter.com/M2aulurMP8— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 7, 2023
Simon doull reaction on Faheem's six 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ydEbe9FWSQ
— junaiz (@dhillow_) March 7, 2023
Faheem Ashraf took two off the next ball and then finished the heist with a four straight down the ground, ending unbeaten on 51, with five fours and 2 sixes to his name.
Though Colin Munro (40 off 21) and Shadab Khan (44 off 25) also made significant contributions in what happens to be Islamabad United’s highest successful chase in tournament history, it would have all been in vain if not for Faheem finishing the match off.
Faheem also took a wicket in the first innings of the match, dismissing Multan Sultan’s opener Shan Masood (75 off 50).