In the final match of the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) held in Karachi, Islamabad United emerged victorious, clinching the coveted title by defeating Multan Sultans. The win was a result of a collective effort from the team, with standout performances from key players such as Imad Wasim and Naseem Shah.
Despite encountering a challenging situation when they were reduced to 129/7 while chasing a target of 160 runs, Islamabad United showcased resilience and determination. Imad Wasim’s exceptional bowling performance, where he claimed five wickets, played a pivotal role in restricting Multan Sultans to a manageable total. Naseem Shah’s contribution with the ball helped control the opposition’s scoring rate, paving the way for United’s victory.
Martin Guptill’s stellar batting display further bolstered Islamabad United’s chase, as his match-winning fifty provided the necessary impetus to their innings. Guptill’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed proved crucial in guiding United towards the target.
On the other hand, Multan Sultans, despite facing early setbacks with the dismissals of Yasir Khan and David Willey, managed to put up a competitive total of 159 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan’s partnership provided stability to their innings, with Usman’s aggressive batting yielding a significant contribution of 57 runs off 40 balls. However, quick wickets towards the end threatened to derail their innings before Iftikhar Ahmed’s late blitz, scoring an unbeaten 32 runs, propelled them to a respectable total.
Islamabad United’s all-round performance, marked by Imad Wasim’s historic five-wicket haul and contributions from Guptill and other players, secured their third PSL title. The victory underscored their resilience under pressure and solidified their status as one of the premier teams in the tournament.
