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March 24, 2024
Naqvi said that PCB will look to find a solution in the future.
Credit to Pakistan Super League Image Gallery
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his astonishment at the low spectator turnout for the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which was held in Karachi.
The overall attendance could have been better despite 11 matches being played at the National Bank Cricket Arena, including the highly anticipated final between Multan Sultans and Islamabad United.
Naqvi told reporters that the PCB will seek to address this issue and explore solutions for future events.
“Why stadium were empty in Karachi is a mystery and also a big quiz for me,” Naqvi stated.
“A lot of people came to Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi and it is surprising to me why people didn’t come in Karachi. We are trying to find a solution,” he added.
The final decision between Multan Sultans and Islamabad United is currently being processed.
After choosing to bat first, the Sultans have set a target of 160 runs. Usman Khan delivered a crucial innings with 57 runs off 40 balls, while Iftikhar Ahmed added a brisk 32 from 20 deliveries.
For Islamabad United, Imad Wasim shone brightly, claiming five wickets during his spell, and captain Shadab Khan contributed with three wickets for 32 runs.
Islamabad United: Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Tymal Mills
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Yasir Khan, Usman Khan, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usama Mir, Mohammad Ali, Abbas Afridi
Under the leadership of Shadab Khan, the team clinched victory in a dramatic showdown.
Credit to Pakistan Super League Image Gallery
Islamabad United secured their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in the ninth season by defeating the Multan Sultans by two wickets at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Monday.
Under Shadab Khan’s captaincy, Islamabad United triumphed once again, adding to their previous victories in 2016 and 2018 and solidifying their status as the most successful franchise in the tournament’s history.
The match was thrillingly resolved on the final delivery when Hunain Shah, needing to score just one run, stepped up to bat and expertly found a gap at point, driving the ball for a four.
Islamabad United, initially in trouble after losing three wickets during the powerplay and falling to 55-3, saw their fortunes shift thanks to a vital 47-run partnership between the seasoned Martin Guptill and the dynamic Azam Khan, which put them back in control.
Despite this resurgence, Guptill was run out for 50 runs off 32 balls due to a minor mix-up with Azam Khan, leaving Islamabad at 102-4 in 12.5 overs.
Following Azam Khan’s departure, Imad Wasim, the standout performer from the eliminators, and Naseem Shah significantly contributed to lower the order, with scores of 19 and 17 runs, respectively.
Earlier in the match, the Multan Sultans narrowly avoided a major setback when Islamabad’s fast bowler, Naseem Shah, dismissed their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, in the first over. However, Rizwan was given a second chance as Shah’s delivery was deemed to have overstepped the crease.
The Sultans faced further challenges as Imad Wasim struck in the second over, dismissing the in-form Yasir Khan and David Willey, leaving them struggling for momentum.
After losing two early wickets, Multan Sultans opted for a more composed approach, with Rizwan and Usman Khan forging a pivotal 53-run partnership. The Sultans appeared to be gaining control of the match, but their captain was dismissed in the 10th over, having scored 26 runs with three boundaries.
Following Rizwan’s departure, the Sultans lost wickets, but Usman Khan remained resilient, taking the fight to the Islamabad bowlers. The UAE international soon reached his half-century but was dismissed by Shadab Khan after scoring 57 runs off 40 balls.
As the Sultans stood at 127-9 with just three overs remaining, they seemed unlikely to surpass the 130-run mark. However, Iftikhar Ahmed’s determined late innings ensured a competitive total. He remained until the end and guided his team to a respectable score.
In the final overs, Iftikhar Ahmed demonstrated his skill by finishing his brief innings with a valuable 32 runs from 20 balls, including three fours and three sixes.
Imad Wasim delivered a standout performance for Islamabad, claiming five wickets and becoming the first player to achieve a five-wicket haul in a PSL final. Alongside Imad, captain Shadab Khan took three wickets, while Naseem Shah and Hunain Shah failed to take any.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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