Islamabad United crowned PSL 9 champions after last bowl thriller against Multan Sultans

Chasing 160 in high voltage game, red-hot Islamabad United got off to a flying start with Colin Munro and Martin Guptill firing salvo.

Munro, the bruising left-hander, was dismissed by Khushdil Shah in 4th over after scoring mere 17. Salman Ali Agha was next to return to pvilion with helping much.

Skipper Shadab Khan also failed to perform, but Guptill held the innings together with a solid partnership with United powerhouse Azam Khan. Guptill was top-scorer with 50 off 32 balls before being run out.

Khan played a quick knock of 30 while Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf fell in consecutive overs, leaving United at 129/7. Sensational Imad Wasim and talented Naseem Shah then took charge, but Mohammad Ali dismissed latter on the penultimate delivery, leaving United in jeopardy.

Hunain Shah ran the last ball of the final hitting boundary.

The electrifying atmosphere in Karachi at the #HBLPSLFinal 🤩#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/YCrGvOFuGl

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2024

In first half of game, United’s Imad Wasim was sensational as he completed five wickets haul, helping his side to restrict confident Multan Sultans on 159/9 on Monday at Karachi’s National Bank.

In the main event, Usman Khan’s solid half-ton and Iftikhar’s quick knock powered Multan Sultans to make a comeback in high voltage game after a murky start.

Sultans opener Yasir Khan returned early as he was first target of red hot Imad Wasim. David Willey also returned cheaply to Imad after hitting a maximum.

Skipper Rizwan and Usman then stitched a decent total with 53-run partnership before Rizwan was dismissed by Shadab Khan for 26. Usman then advanced his innings, forming brief partnerships with Johnson Charles and Khushdil Shah before being dismissed for 57.

Wasim continued to target more players, reducing Sultans to 127/9. Iftikhar Ahmed’s quick 32 off 20 balls provided some late fireworks. Imad took 5/22, while Shadab picked up 3/32 for United.

The final event of Pakistan Super League 2024 shows table toppers Multan Sultans and Islamabad United in action at Karachi Stadium.