A tense situation arose in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 match between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans when Colin Munro of New Zealand suggested that Iftikhar Ahmed had "chucked." Islamabad United were chasing a total of 169 at the time in the 10th over when the controversy occurred. Munro used the forward defending technique to retrieve a fast delivery from Iftikhar aimed at his toes. However, Munro's follow-through as he cried foul over a bent elbow action stole the show as he cantered down to accuse the off-spinner of breaching permissible bowling actions.

Munro’s gestures created immediate tension. His repeated motion, imitating a bent-arm delivery, frustrated Iftikhar, who went straight to the on-field umpire to express his concerns. The umpire sought to calm the situation, but it was too late as Munro's actions had already stirred an action from the Multan Sultans camp. Several of Iftikhar's teammates were agitated and confronted Munro about what they deemed unsportsmanlike action as the match turned into an emotional outburst rather than a contest of competition.

The confrontation intensified when Pakistan’s national team captain Mohammad Rizwan intervened. In a video published by the PSL’s social media accounts, Rizwan could be seen confronting Munro about an apparent disrespect to his teammate. Once the video was published, it went viral, illustrating how emotionally charged the match was. Even though officials restored calm and resumed the game without incident, it became one of the most talked about moments of the tournament, resulting in the general feeling whether sportsmanship and the spirit of the game could be overshadowed in high-pressure situations.

Watch the video here;

Colin Munro accuses Iftikhar Ahmed of chucking in PSL game.
pic.twitter.com/OujiNbxN19

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) April 23, 2025

ICC stands on illegal bowling action

“An Illegal Bowling Action is where a player is throwing rather than bowling the ball. This is defined by the ICC as being where the player’s elbow extends by an amount of more than 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball being released,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) states in their rules and regulations section on their website.

Following the clash between Colin Munro and Iftikhar Ahmed, Islamabad United secured a seven-wicket victory over the Multan Sultans at Multan Cricket Stadium. Munro played a key role in the chase himself, scoring a quick 45 runs from 28 balls before being caught by Iftikhar himself. Iftikhar, who was in the middle of the controversy, also bowled in the match, giving up 20 runs in two overs. Although moments in the match felt tense, the match was ultimately won by match.

Islamabad United and Multan Sultans have both lost players due to unavailability, with Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Short and West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie being unavailable for PSL 2025. Irish allrounder Curtis Campher will replace Motie for the Sultans, but United has not yet confirmed a replacement.

Short came to Pakistan at the beginning of the Pakisthan Super League with an injury he never fully recovered from. United said in a statement that he had been displaying "encouraging signs of the recovery" but complained of discomfort during training.

While the franchise, in conjunction with Cricket Australia's medical team, had tried to have him return to full fitness, the franchise has stated that a "joint decision" to return Short to Australia to resume his rehabilitation was made "in the best interest of the player's long-term fitness and career". United have had a perfect start to the tournament, winning all four of their opening games and currently sit at the top of the table.

Islamabad United stand behind Matt Short in recovery as Sultans wait for Motie's return after challenging start

"Islamabad United are completely committed to the welfare of all our players and offer support to Matt in his recovery," the statement added. "We appreciate his professionalism and good company in the camp and wish him a speedy and full recovery."

Sultans stated Motie had come back to Guyana "to deal with a domestic issue". Motie played none of the Sultans' first three games - all of which the team lost. Sultans will seek to turn their campaign around at home, with the PSL moving to Multan, where Mohammad Rizwan's team play their next two games against Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.

Also read: Sourav Ganguly set to join Bigg Boss Bangla on Star Jalsha with Mammoth Deal, likely to leave Dadagiri

The excitement is building for a thrilling showdown in PSL 2025 as Multan Sultans take on Islamabad United at the iconic Multan Cricket Stadium tomorrow, April 23. With both teams aiming to get an early edge in the tournament, the weather and pitch conditions are expected to play a key role in determining the match outcome.​

Match Details:

• Date: April 23, 2025
• Match: Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars
• Time: 8:30 PM PKT
• Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
• Win % Batting First: 64%
• Win % Bowling First: 36%​

Also read: SRH vs MI : Match 41 Weather and Pitch report IPL 2025

Weather and Pitch Conditions:

Weather:

• Temperature: Expected to peak at 41°C (106°F) during the day, cooling to around 21°C (70°F) by evening.
• Conditions: Clear skies with no chance of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted match.
• Humidity: Low, but players should stay hydrated due to the high daytime temperatures.​

Pitch:

• Nature: Batting-friendly surface offering true bounce, ideal for stroke play.
• First Innings Advantage: Teams batting first have won 7 out of 11 matches, indicating a significant advantage.
• Average Scores: First innings average score is 174, while the second innings average is 147.
• Bowling: Pacers have been more successful, accounting for 72% of wickets, especially effective in the early overs.
• Spinners: May find some assistance in the middle overs but are generally less effective compared to pacers.​

Also read:  MUL vs LAH PSL 2025 Match Live streaming: Where & How to watch on TV

Venue Records:

• Highest Team Total: 210/3 by Multan Sultans against Peshawar Zalmi.
• Lowest Team Total: 110 all out by Quetta Gladiators against Multan Sultans.
• Most Runs: Rilee Rossouw with 375 runs at this venue.
• Best Bowling Figures: Ihsanullah's 5 wickets for 12 runs in 4 overs.​

Given the conditions, winning the toss and opting to bat first could provide a strategic advantage.

Islamabad United (ISL) is looking extremely dangerous on the field as they remain undefeated after 4 PSL 10 matches. Kings registered their fourth consecutive win after defeating Karachi Kings (KAR) in the 10th match of the tournament. ISL, batting second, secured 2 more points with a 6-wicket victory and 17 balls to spare. 

Toss and the first innings 

After monitoring the Karachi pitch, Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Davinder Warner, former Australia international and Karachi Kings captain and opener, is having a tough time in Pakistan. Against United, he lost his wicket early; his opening partner, Tim Seifert, tried to hold one side of the wicket, which resulted in a 30-run innings, facing 37 balls. Apart from Tim, Saad Baig, with 20 runs, was the second-highest scorer for the Karachi-based franchise. ISL skipper Shadab Khan produced the best bowling figure of the night, a couple of wickets in his 4-over quota supported by an economy rate of 4.25. 

Second innings 

Without any notable trouble, United got their desired result with the help of Shadab Khan (47), Azam Khan (31), and Sahibzada Farhan (30). The surface was not the easiest one to rotate in a swift manner. Hasan Ali, with 2 scalps, was the best performer with the ball for Karachi Kings.

Read More: Former India skipper slams Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone for disappointing IPL 2025 performances

Post-match reactions

David Warner (Karachi Kings skipper): "The target was challenging; the ball's movement made it tough early on. We were about 20 runs short of a competitive total. We need to change our batting approach. Hasan Ali as the spearhead of our bowling attack—excellent. We need to build a partnership in the first six overs."

Shadab Khan (Islamabad United captain): "We made plans after the draft, including bringing in Mohammad Nawaz. Azam Khan and Sahibzada Farhan provided us a good start. Playing on this wicket required adjustments, particularly playing straight due to the low bounce. We need to improve our energy level on the field and better execution in both batting and bowling."

Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United match scorecard 

Karachi Kings- 128/7 (20 Overs)

Islamabad United- 129/4 (17.1 Overs)

Islamabad United have been hit with bad news as Australian all-rounder Matthew Short has been ruled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X. The team had high hopes for Short, who was bought for $220,000 and was expected to play a big role at the top of the batting order. Short picked up a quad injury during the Champions Trophy 2025 while playing for Australia against Afghanistan. Even though he opened the innings with Travis Head, he was struggling to move and had to retire hurt after scoring 20 runs from 15 balls.

After arriving in Pakistan, Short showed some signs of recovery. But during training, he started feeling pain again. Islamabad United’s medical staff, along with doctors from Cricket Australia, checked him and decided it was best for him to stop playing and focus on recovery. “Both teams agreed that Matt should return home to heal properly,” Islamabad United said in a statement. Short has now gone back to Australia, and Islamabad United haven’t named a replacement yet.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Virat Kohli caught on stump mic mocking Punjab Kings bowler Harpreet Brar

Islamabad United Stay Strong Without Short

This is a big loss for United, as Short is known for his powerful batting and useful bowling. He played some great cricket in BBL 14 and has a good T20 record with a strike rate of almost 150. He also played for the IPL and would have been a game-changer for the team. Even in the absence of Short, Islamabad United have made a pretty good beginning to the tournament. They have won all three of their matches and are currently at the top of the points table.

Captain Shadab Khan and the team will now rely on their regular players to keep the winning streak going. Islamabad United also thanked Short for his time with the team. “We wish him a quick recovery and thank him for his positive attitude,” the team said. As the tournament moves forward, United will be tested. But with the form they’ve shown so far, they’ll hope to stay on top and go deep into the competition.

The excitement is building for a thrilling showdown in PSL 2025 as Karachi Kings take on Islamabad United at the iconic National Stadium Karachi tomorrow, April 20. With both teams aiming to get an early edge in the tournament, the weather and pitch conditions are expected to play a key role in determining the match outcome.

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

Match Details:

• Date: April 20, 2025
• Match: KAR vs ISL
• Time: 8:30 PM 
• Venue: Karachi 
• Win % Batting First: 26%
• Win % Bowling First: 74%

Also read: MI vs CSK : Match 38 Weather and Pitch report IPL 2025

Weather and Pitch Conditions:

Weather:

• The weather in Karachi is fine, with a 0% chance of rain, which may cause some interruptions.
• The temperature will hover around 27.8°C, offering moderately warm conditions for players.
• Humidity could impact swing in the early overs, and the cloud cover might assist bowlers if the match starts on time.

Pitch:

• Balanced Surface: Offers a fair contest between bat and ball, with a slight advantage for teams bowling first, especially under lights.
• True Bounce & Fast Outfield: Batters benefit from true bounce and quick outfields, encouraging fluent stroke play.
• Assistance for Pacers Early On: Fast bowlers could find early movement and help from the surface in the initial overs.
• Pitch Flattens Out: As the match progresses, the pitch tends to flatten, favouring batters for big scores.
• Spinners’ Role: Spinners may have a part to play in the middle overs, though it’s generally tougher for them compared to slower, turning tracks.

Average Score Batting First (Last Season): 177
Average Score Batting Second (Last Season): 161
Wins Batting First in Last Five Games: 3
Wins Bowling First in Last Five Games: 2

Also read: PBKS vs RCB : Match 37 weather and pitch report IPL 2025

Venue Records: Karachi  Cricket Stadium, Pakistan

• Highest Team Total: 229/4 by ISU vs QTG
• Lowest Team Total: 101 all out by KRK VS MS
• Average First Innings Score: Approximately 177

Islamabad United got their back-to-back second victory in the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 10). They outclassed Peshawar Zalmi (PES) in match 5 at the Rawalpindi Stadium. Sahibzada Farhan's century in the first innings offers ISL an extra edge to win the match. Naseem Shah and Co., with their bowling, destroyed Peshawar Zalmi's all hope to make a comeback in the match. 

Read More: IPL 2025: Former India player gives credit to Hardik Pandya and not Rohit Sharma after MI's thrilling win against DC

Toss and first innings 

Shadab Khan, skipper of Islamabad United, made the right decision to bat first. The Rawalpindi wicket proved enough for ISL batters to rotate strike with ease. PES bowlers had very little to do in this wicket. Farhan was unstoppable; he thrashed five 6s and thirteen 4s to register his 106 in 52 balls. Along with the opener, New Zealand star Colin Munro played 27 balls to score another 40 for his team. Later, Salman Ali Agha also proved handy when he got 30 with a 200.00 strike rate. In 20 overs, Islamabad United got 243/5. 

Second innings

Mohammad Haris was the lone warrior for Peshawar Zalmi. His 87-run innings in 47 balls was the only talking point of the second innings for PES. Imad Wasim, with the ball, took the wicket of Haris and two other batters. Skipper Shadab Khan cleared two batters with his bowling. 

Post match interview

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi captain): "We are unable to execute plans with both bat and ball and have to sit down and talk about that. We have a good squad and some quality youngsters, but there is pressure to play at this stage. We talk about the mistakes and make sure not to repeat them in the next match.'

Shadab Khan (Islamabad United captain): "Sahibzada Farhan has worked a lot behind the scenes. We have depth in our batting order and we want to make the most of it. The pitch wasn't a 240 score pitch but Farhan played really well. There are a couple of unsung players like Mohammad Nawaz who was brilliant on the field." 

Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi match scorecard

Islamabad United- 243/5 (20 Overs)

Peshawar Zalmi- 141/10 (18.2 Overs)

The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 will take place from April 11 to May 18, with 34 games to be contested across four grounds: Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, and Multan. The tournament will start with Islamabad United vs. Lahore Qalandars at Rawalpindi on April 11. All six teams—Islamabad United, Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, and Multan Sultans—will feature in a double round-robin format, and the top four will feature in playoffs. The group stage will conclude on May 10, followed by playoffs, leading to the grand finale in Lahore on May 18.

PES vs ISL: Match Details

• Date: April 14, 2025
• Match: PES vs ISL
• Time: 09:00 PM
• Venue: Rawalpindi

Also read: WATCH IPL 2025: Umpire checks Hardik Pandya’s bat before he walks out to bat in DC vs MI clash

PES vs ISL Probable Playing XIs:

Peshawar Zalmi Probable Playing XIs

Babar Azam (C), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Arif Yaqoob, Najibullah

Zadran, George Linde, Hussain Talat, Alzarri Joseph, Luke Wood, Sufiyan Muqeem,

Muhammad Ali 

Islamabad United Playing XI

Colin Munro, Matt Short, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz,

Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshius, Azam Khan, Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith

The Islamabad United (ISL) are set to take on the Peshawar Zalmi (PES) in Match 5 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With both teams aiming to get an early edge in the tournament, the weather and pitch conditions are expected to play a key role in determining the match outcome.

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

QUE vs LAH: Match Details

• Date: April 14, 2025
• Match: ISL VS PES
• Time: 08:30 PM PKT
• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• Win % Batting First: 61%
• Win % Bowling First: 39%

Also read: Devdutt Padikkal becomes second batter to score 1000 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL

ISL VS PES : Weather and Pitch Conditions:

Weather:

• The weather in Rawalpindi is expected to be partly cloudy, with a 42% chance of rain, which may cause some interruptions.
• The temperature will hover around 28.5°C, offering moderately warm conditions for players.
• Humidity could impact swing in the early overs, and the cloud cover might assist bowlers if the match starts on time.

Pitch:

• The Rawalpindi surface has historically been balanced, with a slight advantage to batting first, especially under lights.
• Batters benefit from true bounce and quick outfields, allowing for stroke play.
• Bowlers, especially pacers, could get assistance early on, but the pitch tends to flatten out as the match progresses.
• Spinners may have a role to play in the middle overs, though they usually find it tougher than at slower venues.

Average Score Batting First (Last Season): 178
Average Score Batting Second (Last Season): 165
Wins Batting First in Last Five Games: 3
Wins Bowling First in Last Five Games: 2

Also read:  LSG VS CSK : Match 30 Weather and Pitch Report – IPL 2025

Venue Records: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan

• Highest Team Total: 238/3 by Islamabad United vs. Lahore Qalandars
• Lowest Team Total: 91 all out by Quetta Gladiators vs. Peshawar Zalmi
• Average First Innings Score: Approximately 175 runs

The tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 10) has started with a bang. The night was marked by a grand ceremony followed by an entertaining match between Lahore Qalandars (LAH) and Islamabad United (ISL). United finished the match with style; they won the match by 8 wickets and 14 balls to spare.

Read More: IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Highlights

Toss and the first innings

Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field first. Qalandars lost their openers while 30 on the scoreboard. Pakistan international Abdullah Shafique shook off the pressure and delivered a 38-ball, 66-run knock. Apart from Shafique, Zimbabwean international Sikandar Raza added 23 runs on board, which helped his team to get a total of 139 on the scoreboard in 19.2 overs. West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder was the most successful bowler for Islamabad United with 4 wickets in the bag.

Second innings

Islamabad United, the most successful PSL team, faced trouble when Andries Gous bowled out only for 4. Sahibzada Farhan (25) and New Zealand star Colin Munro (59*) stitched an important partnership to solidify their team's innings. Salman Ali Agha (41*) later joined Munro and confirmed a victory for ISL.

Post match interactions

Shadab Khan (Islamabad United captain): "Pleased with the execution of the plans as that's the most important thing in T20 cricket. Working hard on bowling and looking to improve even more and make a comeback in the National side on a permanent basis. I am hopeful that every member from the national squad gains form from this PSL and that's the ultimate goal for us."

Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars captain): "Team will strive to improve and perform better in upcoming games. Abdullah Shafique, future of Pakistan cricket, and happy with Asif Afridi's bowling performance. We want to keep our focus on moving forward positively."

Lahore Qalandars vs. Islamabad United match scorecard

Lahore Qalandars- 139/10 (19.2 overs)

Islamabad United- 143/2 (17.4 Overs)