Islamabad United crowned PSL 9 champions

Islamabad United won their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title after they edged over Multan Sultans in the PSL 9 final following a last ball thriller, at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Monday night.

Imad Wasim, who registered a historic five-wicket haul in the first innings, was adjudged player of the match as Islamabad United lifted the trophy after winning the first final they made since 2018.

Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to bat first. The first over, bowled by Naseem Shah, saw drama unfold as Salman Ali Agha caught Mohammad Rizwan on the fourth ball, only for the umpire to signal a no-ball as  Naseem overstepped.

Imad Wasim struck on the third ball of the next over to remove Yasir Khan, who was caught by Tymal Mills. David Willey hit Imad for a six on the fifth delivery. On the very next ball, Willey’s stumps were shattered as the second wicket fell for Multan.

The fifth over, bowled by Hunain Shah, was capitalized by Rizwan and Usman Khan as both hit two boundaries each to snatch 17 from the over. At the end of the powerplay, Multan stood at 48-2.

The 53-run third-wicket stand between Rizwan and Usman was broken in the 10th over as Shadab Khan removed his counterpart.

In the next over, Usman smashed a four and a six to keep the score flowing. Imad, returning to the attack, got his third wicket when Johnson Charles was caught by Naseem at short fine.

In the 15th over, Usman brought up his second HBL PSL 9 half-century. In the same over, Usman and Khushdil Shah hit a boundary each as Multan got to 114-4 with five overs left.

Shadab removed Usman on the first ball of the next over. Usama Mir, the next batter in, smashed a maximum on his first ball. The Islamabad skipper avenged himself on the subsequent delivery, as Hunain pouched an important catch to dismiss Usama.

The 17th over, bowled by Imad, saw three wickets at the expense of just three runs, paralyzing Multan’s innings. Khushdil and Chris Jordan were removed on consecutive deliveries as Imad completed a five-wicket haul, becoming the first bowler to do so in a PSL final.

Abbas Afridi was run out on the final ball of the same over, as Multan were reduced to 127-9 after losing five wickets for just 13  runs over the course of two overs.

With only two overs remaining, Iftikhar stepped on the gas pedal. He smashed two sixes against Mills in the penultimate over. Then, facing Naseem in the final over, he produced two boundaries and one six to help Multan finish at a competitive total of 159-9.

Imad was the pick of the bowlers, getting a five-fer. Shadab bagged three wickets.

In pursuit of 160-run target, Islamabad United started on a 26-run opening partnership between Colin Munro and Martin Guptill, until Khushdil removed the former for 17 in the fourth over.

In the final over of the powerplay, Khushdil completed a successful return catch to send Salman back to the pavilion as Islamabad finished six overs at 46-2.

Shortly after, Shadab failed to execute a sweep shot as Iftikhar disturbed the stumps to bring Islamabad three down, with 58 on the board, after nine overs.

Usama, brought to the attack to bowl the 11th over, was on the receiving end of Guptill’s onslaught as he conceded 18 on the back of two sixes and a four. The next over saw 15 runs scored on the back of three boundaries, with Azam Khan hitting two of them.

The stabilizing 47-run fourth-wicket stand between Guptill and Azam was unceremoniously ended when the former was run out in the 13th over. Guptill walked back after contributing 50 from 32, showcasing four boundaries and three maximums.

Imad joined Azam on the crease, with 58 needed off 43  deliveries. The two could only add 19  runs collectively before Azam edged one to the keeper to award Usama a wicket.

Hunain, needing one off the final delivery, hit the winning runs as Islamabad secured the title for the first time since 2018. Khushdil and Iftikhar returned with two wickets each while Willey, Ali and Usama had one each.