Islamabad United Claims Another PSL 2024 Title in a Nail-Biting Final

In a thrilling PSL final, Imad Wasim emerged as the hero for Islamabad United, leading them to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Multan Sultans on 18 March 2024. While the Sultans have proven adept at reaching the finals, United demonstrated their ability to clinch the title, showcasing resilience and determination. For Multan, the loss marked yet another heart-wrenching moment as they succumbed to defeat on the last ball of a low-scoring encounter. Imad’s stellar all-round performance, which included five wickets, set the stage for a gripping finish, capped off by Hunain Shah’s decisive stroke that secured United's third championship.

The final, held in Karachi, echoed the tension of the previous year’s match, where Multan narrowly lost by a single run. Throughout this latest encounter, it appeared that United had the upper hand, especially after reducing Multan to a precarious 127 for 9. However, a late rally led by Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored an unbeaten 32 off 20 balls, helped the Sultans reach a total of 159. This total, while not formidable, was still within reach of a strong bowling lineup that felt confident in defending it.

As the match unfolded, Islamabad United opened their innings with a pair of veteran New Zealanders, opting to drop the struggling Alex Hales. Martin Guptill began explosively during the Powerplay, showcasing his clean hitting and power. However, Multan's bowlers gradually gained control, employing a series of spinners on a pitch that was starting to turn, which slowed United’s momentum.

Khushdil Shah made a significant impact by taking two quick wickets, dismissing both Colin Munro and Salman Ali Agha. What initially looked like a straightforward chase began to turn into a grind. Shadab Khan, who had been reliable throughout the tournament, made a costly error by attempting an aggressive shot after a sluggish start and lost his wicket. Azam Khan also struggled to find his rhythm, and even Guptill began to feel the pressure as the match grew more tense.

Despite the pressure, United managed to regain their footing when Azam and Guptill found their groove again. Guptill launched a counterattack, hitting Usama Mir, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, for two sixes and a four, while Azam took advantage of a wayward over from Chris Jordan, scoring 15 runs. However, a critical mix-up between the two led to Guptill's dismissal after a spirited half-century, adding to the mounting tension.

David Willey, a standout fast bowler for Multan this season, struck next by dismissing Haider Ali, who had previously excelled in the eliminator match. Meanwhile, Iftikhar continued to assert his presence, claiming the wicket of Faheem Ashraf, who had famously hit the winning six for United six years prior. As wickets fell, it became a nail-biting scenario, leaving Imad Wasim and the tailenders to finish the job.

The pressure on Imad was palpable. In the first innings, he had briefly escaped to the dressing room for a quick smoke, but now he faced the weight of the match on his shoulders. The contest became even tighter during the crucial 18th and 19th overs, where a battle between Iftikhar and Naseem Shah unfolded, followed by a critical exchange between Jordan and Imad. With 23 runs needed off those two overs, the situation boiled down to eight runs required off the final six balls. A well-timed shot through mid-on reduced the deficit, and a couple of singles brought the scores level.

Just when it seemed the drama might end, a miscue from Naseem Shah led to his dismissal, setting the stage for his younger brother, Hunain, to step up. In a moment of calm amidst the chaos, Hunain played a delicate shot through the infield to seal the victory, although the tears that followed revealed the immense pressure he had been under as a young player.

Despite the frenetic finish, Islamabad United’s success was built on a meticulously crafted game plan. They executed their strategy flawlessly, utilizing the bowling skills of Imad and Shadab to stifle a formidable Sultans batting lineup that had dominated throughout the season. Mohammad Rizwan narrowly avoided dismissal in the first over due to a no-ball, while Yasir Khan fell victim to Imad’s clever spin. Multan's gamble to send in Willey backfired as he was dismissed quickly, showcasing United’s dominance with the ball.

Usman Khan, a surprising star for Multan, struggled to find his rhythm, as United's bowlers maintained an iron grip on the game. Naseem’s unyielding accuracy helped him contain the opposition, while Imad and Shadab wreaked havoc, collectively taking eight wickets and contributing to a collapse that saw Multan lose five wickets for just 12 runs. While United could not fully account for Iftikhar’s explosive finishing, his efforts helped lift the Sultans to a challenging score.

In the end, despite the ups and downs, Islamabad United's disciplined approach allowed them to chase down the target and claim victory, ensuring they took home the coveted silverware.