Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim’s all-round show led Shadab Khan’s Islamabad United to the third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title with a two-wicket win over Multan Sultans at National Stadium, Karachi on March 18. After taking a record-breaking five-wicket haul, Wasim held his nerves and guided Islamabad United home with help from a spirited Naseem Shah and his brother Hunain Shah.
Wasim causes collapse
Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first. Naseem got the better of Rizwan on the fourth ball but it was a no ball. Wasim in his first over got rid of Yasir Khan and David Willey. Usman Khan and Rizwan tried to use the fielding restrictions and hit a few boundaries. Multan Sultans were 48/2 after powerplay overs. After three boundary-less overs, Usman hit Shadab for a four in the 10th over. But pressure got the better of Rizwan and he departed for a run-a-ball 26. At the halfway stage, they were 68/3.
Usman tried to accelerate and hit Faheem Ashraf for a six and a four. Wasim returned and got the better of Johnson Charles who misjudged the length and Naseem took an easy catch. Usman completed his half-century in the 15th over from 36 balls. Shadab in his last over got the prized wicket of Usman. He scored 57 runs from 40 balls including seven fours and a six. Usama Mir started with a maximum and got out the next ball. Iftikhar Ahmed walked out to bat at no.8.
In Wasim's last over, he dismissed Khushdil Shah and Chris Jordan off consecutive balls. Then Abbas Afridi got run out. Naseem tightened the screws with a one-run over. In the penultimate over, Iftikhar smashed Tymal Mills for two consecutive sixes. In the final over, he hit Naseem for two fours and a six to take Multan Sultans to 159/9. Iftikhar remained unbeaten for 20-ball 32.
Guptill hits fifty
Islamabad United's run chase got off to an electrifying start. Colin Munro hit Willey for three consecutive fours in the first over. Then Martin Guptill hit Khushdil for a maximum. Khushdil in his next over got the better of Munro who scored 17 runs from 13 balls. After a wicket-maiden, Guptill and Agha Salman hit two boundaries each. Khushdil struck again to dismiss Salman caught and bowled. After powerplay overs, Islamabad United were 46/2.
After two overs without boundaries, Iftikhar got the wicket of Shadab. At the halfway stage, Islamabad United were 61/3. Guptill broke free in the 11th over and hit Mir for two sixes and a four. Azam Khan joined him and hit Jordan for two fours. Guptill reached his half-century from 30 balls. On the next ball, Azam hit a six. But Guptill's innings came to an abrupt end. he was run out for a 32-ball 50. Azam could not continue either and lost his wicket to Mir after a 22-ball 30 cameo.
Shah brothers finish it off
Willey returned and got the wicket of Haider Ali. Rizwan brought back Iftikhar into the attack and it paid off. The off-spinner got the wicket of Ashraf. Naseem infused life into the run chase with a four and a six off Iftikhar. In the penultimate over, Wasim hit two boundaries off Jordan to leave eight runs for the final over. After a single, Naseem hit a boundary off Mohammad Ali. On the penultimate ball, Naseem got out on a short ball. He departed for a 9-ball 17. On the last ball, one run was needed to win. Hunain Shah managed to get bat on the ball and found the gap to win the game for his side.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
