Sharjah March 13: Kieron Pollard’s blazing 73 off 47 balls went in vain as Multan Sultans lost their cruical tie against Islamabad United to lose their grip on a Play-off spot in the 2018 edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Set an imposing 186 run target the Sultans were dealt a body blow in the opening over of their chase as Kumar Sangakkara and Saif Badar were sent back by Samit Patel.

Ahmed Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood also lost their wickets through rash shots as the Sultans slumped in their chase dramatically.

After the loss of Shoaib Malik who was cleaned up by Shadab Khan, Pollard upped the ante with a series of big shots but the efforts of the West Indian big-hitter were ended by Mohammad Sami who had him caught at the square-leg fence by Alex Hales.

The defeat left Sultans’ languishing at the fourth spot in the points table, their fate is now in the hands of reigning champions Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings.

If Zalmi win both their remaining game and Kings don’t lose their last matches by a big margin, Sultans’ would be forced to pack their bags.

Earlier, United’s top-order gave another exhilarating performance led by the man in-form Luke Ronchi who dazzled with his third fifty of the season that also earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.

Ronchi’s 36 ball 58 run innings set the base of United’s 185 run total, the second best first innings score of the event thus far.

United debutant Alex Hales made an immediate HBL PSL impression with a typically aggressive 46 off 33 balls an innings that included two sixes and five fours.

Hussain Talat chipped in with a 21 call 36 run contribution that included one did and four fours.

Sultans’ bowlers endured another poor outing in the field with only Umar Gul with figures of two for 26 in his four over spell causing some trouble to the United’s batsmen.

Maroon cap holder for the highest wicket-taker Imran Tahir collected one more scalp to add to his tournament tally.