KARACHI: Imad Wasim’s all-round performance powered Islamabad United to clinch Pakistan Super League (PSL) title after five-long years by defeating favourites Multan Sultans in ninth edition final at National Bank Stadium here. Set to chase 160 for their third PSL title, Islamabad United had flying start to pursuit as their new opening pair of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill scored 20 off first two overs.

But duo failed to continue flying start as Munro fell victim to Khushdil Shah on first delivery of fourth over. He made 17 off 13 with help of four boundaries. United then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Salman Ali Agha (10) and Shadab Khan (4) perished after scoring cheaply. But Guptill remained firm and kept scoreboard ticking in crucial fourth-wicket partnership with Azam Khan before mix-up drew curtains on his tremendous knock. He remained top-scorer for United with 32-ball 50, peppered with four boundaries and three sixes. Azam then partnered with Imad Wasim for brief 19-run partnership, which lasted in 16th over, courtesy of brilliant DRS by Muhammad Rizwan off Usama Mir. He smashed four boundaries and a six on his way to a 22-ball 30. United then sustained another massive blow to their pursuit as in-form Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf walked back in consecutive overs, bringing equation down to 129/7.

Two-time champions then needed 31 off 17 deliveries with Imad and Naseem Shah at crease.  Bat first, Multan Sultans managed to register subpar total on board in PSL 9 final despite Usman Khan’s anchoring half-century and Iftikhar Ahmed’s late onslaught. Sultans got off to dismal start to their innings as their young opener Yasir Khan (6) fell victim to Imad Wasim in second over. Promoted to bat at No.3 Vice-Captain David Willey (6) had brief stay at crease as he too, fell victim to Imad after hitting latter for six. Following slump, Usman Khan then joined his skipper Muhammad Rizwan in middle and duo launched recovery.

Pair added 53 runs for third wicket before Rizwan fell victim to his United counterpart Shadab Khan in 10th over after scoring run-a-ball 26. Usman then took reigns of Sultans’ batting expedition and put together brief partnerships with Johnson Charles and Khushdil Shah before perishing in 16th over. He remained top-scorer for Sultans with gutsy 57 off 40 deliveries, laced up with seven boundaries and six. His dismissal sparked lower middle-order collapse, triggered by Imad Wasim’s sensational last over, who returned with tremendous bowling figures of 5/22 in his four overs. Consequently, Sultans had been reduced to 127/9 in 17 overs before Iftikhar Ahmed launched counterattack. Right-handed batter smashed three boundaries and as many sixes on his way to blistering 32-run cameo which came off just 20 deliveries. Besides Imad, skipper Shadab chipped in for United with ball, picking up three wickets for 32 runs in his quota of four overs.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 19 2024

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