Islamabad emerges victorious against Multan in an exhilarating PSL final with a dramatic last-ball boundary

Islamabad United emerged as the champions of the Pakistan Super League after a thrilling final against Multan Sultans. The match came down to the last ball, with tailender Hunain Shah hitting a boundary off the bowling of Mohammad Ali to secure the victory for Islamabad. Multan was restricted to 159-9 due to impressive bowling performances from Imad Wasim, who took 5-23, and captain Shadab Khan, who picked up 3-32. Shadab, who was named player of the league, emphasized the importance of winning even without playing a perfect game.

Islamabad’s chase was led by opener Martin Guptill, who scored a quick 50 before being run out in the 13th over. The team faced some stumbling blocks in the middle overs but managed to secure the win with the help of Wasim and Naseem, who remained unbeaten towards the end of the innings. The team ended with a total of 163-8, adding to their titles from 2016 and 2018. Wasim, who played a key role with both bat and ball, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and praised Hunain for finishing the game on a high note.

Multan, playing in its fourth consecutive final, was left disheartened after coming close to victory once again. Despite their efforts, the team fell short of their target and finished as the runners-up for the second year in a row. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan credited Islamabad for their performance in the final and acknowledged the ups and downs in his team’s batting. Despite the loss, Rizwan appreciated the experience of playing in front of a packed crowd and congratulated Islamabad on their victory.

Islamabad’s success in the playoffs can be attributed to Wasim’s exceptional all-round performance, which included crucial contributions with both bat and ball. The team faced a tough challenge from Multan’s spinners during the final, but managed to pull off a sensational win in the end. With the help of Naseem’s quickfire 17 and Imad’s composure under pressure, Islamabad sealed the victory with two wickets in hand. Wasim’s impactful bowling, which included key wickets of Multan’s top order, played a significant role in Islamabad’s triumph.

Wasim’s bowling display, which included picking up wickets of important batsmen like Usman Khan and Khushdil Shah, disrupted Multan’s momentum and limited their total to a manageable score. Despite a fighting fifty from Usman Khan, Multan struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at crucial junctures. Ahmed provided some late impetus with a quickfire 32, but it was not enough to steer his team to victory. Islamabad’s ability to withstand pressure and deliver in crunch situations ultimately proved to be the difference in the final, as they secured their third Pakistan Super League title.