In an exhilarating finale of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9, Islamabad United emerged victorious after a captivating contest against Multan Sultans, securing the title for the third time in the tournament’s history.
Multan set a target of 160 runs for Islamabad United, who chased it down with 8 wickets in hand on the final delivery of the match, clinching victory for the third time in the PSL.
The match, played at the National Stadium in Karachi, saw Multan Sultans winning the toss and opting to bat first. They posted a total of 159 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Osman Khan was the standout performer for Multan, scoring 57 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 26 runs to the scoreboard.
Islamabad United’s bowlers, led by Iftikhar Ahmed, displayed an impressive performance, with Ahmed claiming 3 wickets for 32 runs in his spell of 4 overs.
In reply, Islamabad United’s innings got off to a shaky start as they lost their first wicket for 26 runs. However, Colin Munro’s dismissal for 17 runs and the subsequent loss of Agha Salman and Shadab Khan left them struggling at 47 for 4.
Martin Guptill and Azam Khan steadied the innings with a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but Guptill’s dismissal for 50 runs and Azam Khan’s departure for 30 runs put them in a precarious position.
However, Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah displayed a resilient batting performance, guiding Islamabad United close to victory with aggressive strokes.
In the end, Islamabad United achieved the target of 160 runs with 2 wickets in hand, securing their third PSL title after triumphs in 2016 and 2018.
Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 19 runs earned him the Player of the Final award for his match-winning contribution.
Additionally, awards were presented for the best batsman, best bowler, and best wicket-keeper of PSL 9, with Osman Khan, Osama Mir, and Azam Khan respectively receiving the honors.
The thrilling encounter between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans showcased the competitive spirit and talent in the PSL, further solidifying its status as one of the premier cricketing leagues in the world.
