Player of the Match
Player of the Match

END OF OVER:
19 | 15 Runs | IU: 189/5 | RR: 9.94

  • Imad Wasim59 (40b)
  • Haider Ali52 (29b)
  • Luke Wood4-0-38-1
  • Aamer Jamal3-0-41-0

That's it, the presentation ceremony is done. See you on Monday for one last time in this year's PSL for the grand final. I'm sure you'll join us for the coverage. For now, it's goodbye and goodnight from me, Rvel Zahid. Byeee!

Islamabad United made an unbelievable recovery after a massive wobble early on, but this Islamabad side bats deep, and it's never over until it's over. Imad Wasim played a blinder and set his mind on taking the game deep. All he needed was one partner who could support him till the end. It was the swashbuckling Haider Ali who dealt severe treatment to Zalmi, especially Aamer Jamal, and made the equation a walk in the park affair. Babar Azam stood helpless as his bowlers let it loose and surprisingly didn't go for many slow balls at the death. Islamabad United now need to make a hat-trick of wins to clinch the 2024 title. They defeated Quetta yesterday, Zalmi tonight, but can they beat the formidable Sultans on March 18? Props to Saim Ayub, who held his end of the bargain and delivered a terrific all-round performance. The dynamic batting all-rounder deserves a spot in the Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup. Mohammad Haris scored a brisk 40-run knock and a few cameos down the order got them a respectable score but they slowed down at the death. The bowling from Zalmi was superb in the first half but then they were put under tremendous pressure by the seasoned campaigner Imad Wasim, who was so calm and composed throughout his stay at the crease. Imad has a habit of relishing these pressure games and it brings the best out of him.

Imad Wasim, Player of the Match: Todays' wicket was better than before. My plan was to bowl in the surface because the quicker you bowl the better it comes on the bat. We thought it's 190-200 wicket. They played really well but we bowled well in the last five overs. I felt they were 15 short but they bowled really well. Wicket was so good, you just stay and hit ball by ball, don't get ahead of yourself...Haider played an exceptional innings. We had Faheem as well, Naseem as well, I thought if we played 20 overs, we'll have a great chance. The momentum is in our side but having said that Multan is a very good team...

Shadab Khan: We haven' played a perfect game, one perfect game is remaining, hopefully it will be in the finals. Everyone was believing in themselves no matter what the situation. Hunain dropped a catch so I did't want to put pressure on him because we had seven options so we covered him up. I told players to take it deep because we have match-winners who can win the game out of nowhere. In these matches, it's about your attitude, it's about staying calm. Haider has done so much hard work, I've seen his potential when I was northern captain. Before the PSL, I was asked in press conference that who will be your match winner, I told that it will be Haider Ali because he was in great touch. He didn't perform that much in previous years and everyone criticized him but I'm very happy for him, if you give love, the right atmosphere and support then they feel comfortable and it reflects in the performance

Haider Ali: I'm feeling really good that our team are in the final. We were in a difficult position but we had the belief to chase it down. There was a bit of pressure early on but Imad Wasim managed it so well and told me to stick with cricketing shots. We needed boundary in every over...yes, I took some time, I think when I went in at 12 or 13th over, plan was to build a partnership. Credit goes to captain, management...they all support us and everyone has belief to get the job done.

Ayaz Shahani : "Maddy will be the man of the match or it should be given to Saim Ayub who truly deserve for his all-round performance "

Prashant: "How modest Imad is in his speech, just love his attitude and calmness. Also with his cute son :). I still feel, he should be always a part of pakistan 11"

Karim: "Babar will never learn, his captaincy is poor to say the least and his cardinal sins always cost his team. Khurram Shahzad was bowling a beautiful spell, if you discard the no-ball six and subsequent delivery his economy rate was 4.33 in three overs and a wicket. He troubled Haider Ali and should have been allowed to continue bowling instead of Aamer Jamal."

MoRohaan: "Whoever said that IU choke in the playoff hats off to you because you said it too soon. Shouldn't have said it "

Mazahir: "Haider Ali picking up the right time and inexperience of PZ bowling is surely the cause of this damage. I feel for Babar Azam. "

Irfan: "Why are peshawar bowlers not bowling slower ones. Haven't they learned from Islamabad. Taking pace off helped Islamabad alot."

Waleed: "Haider Ali has almost always succumbed to short-pitch deliveries.And Jamal is doing the exact opposite for him. "

Safeer: "Had my comment been published around the 14th over mark, I said this will be a big test for Haider and let's see if he can strike a big partnership with Imad! What.A.Comeback!!"

GormitAunty: "IU qualifying will make for a better final as they have many match winners whereas PZ are just a two man team."

Attiya: "What a day for haider to perform! PZ did everything but lost to this pair. They were 20-30 runs short from start."

18.6
4
Wood to Imad Wasim, FOUR, Short of a length at middle, nudged softly off the pads to long-on, so all it required was one decent partnership, they bat long, what a dramatic turnaround. And quite fittingly it's the elder statesman Imad Wasim who calmly steers this full ball just outside off through the gap at cover and plays a scintillating drive to get his team to the doorstep of victory in style, brilliant knock! Take a bow! It's been a beautifully crafted knock. He has been brave and what a time to bring your A-game, excellent execution as Islamabad just snatched it from Peshawar who lost from a position of dominance.
18.5
2
Wood to Imad Wasim, 2 runs, Short of a length at middle, nudged softly off the pads to long-on, so all it required was one decent partnership, they bat long, what a dramatic turnaround
18.4
1
Wood to Haider Ali, 1 run, Goes fuller and tries to cramp him for room, clattered firmly down the floor to long-off, just a hit away from the victory
18.3
6
Wood to Haider Ali, SIX, Pure violence, pure timing, such a treat to watch! Slightly short on middle, plants his front leg and carts it way over deep backward square for a resounding six
18.2
2lb
Wood to Haider Ali, 2 leg byes, Scurries in lands it shortish, cramping him for room, rotates his body in a bid to pull it away, inadvertently sends it bobbling over to backward point, chucks throw at striker's end and there's nobody backing up, they sneak anther run
18.1
0
Wood to Haider Ali, no run, Speared in a slow yorker and he is early through the flick

END OF OVER:
18 | 23 Runs | IU: 174/5 (12 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.66, RRR: 6.00)

  • Imad Wasim53 (38b)
  • Haider Ali45 (25b)
  • Aamer Jamal3-0-41-0
  • Luke Wood3-0-25-1
17.6
4
Aamer Jamal to Imad Wasim, FOUR, Imad Wasim thumps a becalmed fifty, big match player always steps up and hogs the limelight, Jamal offered him a hint of width and he hacks it away disdainfully past backward point for a four, that makes the equation so easy for Islamabad
17.5
1
Aamer Jamal to Haider Ali, 1 run, Clipped away behind square on the leg side for a run, only 16 off 13, quite surprised how Babar Azam has been like a spectator in the last few overs, they should have a little meeting
17.4
6
Aamer Jamal to Haider Ali, SIX, He's in a hurry to go to the hotel, once again goes full and makes a cardinal sin, not nailing the yorkers and Haider Ali makes him pay, muscles it over deep square of midwicket for a humungous, exceptional hitting!
17.4
1w
Aamer Jamal to Haider Ali, 1 wide, Sprays it full and down the leg side, it's a wasted effort, he'll have to reload that! Clanger at this stage
17.3
6
Aamer Jamal to Haider Ali, SIX, Attempted yorker misses the blockhole by a fraction and Haider Ali plays a outrageous smack over midwicket and it goes all the way much to the delight of fans, they're having a ball out there. What a clean strike, pressure, what pressure says Haider Ali? Amazing head-spinning batting from the lost gem
17.2
1
Aamer Jamal to Imad Wasim, 1 run, Pitched up with a hint of reverse, dug out to wide long-on and scurries through a run
17.1
4
Aamer Jamal to Imad Wasim, FOUR, Seizes on the full-length delivery on middle and takes the aerial route at midwicket, one bounce over the rope and it crashes onto the advertising hoardings. Splendid shot!

END OF OVER:
17 | 11 Runs | IU: 151/5 (35 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.88, RRR: 11.66)

  • Haider Ali32 (22b)
  • Imad Wasim44 (35b)
  • Luke Wood3-0-25-1
  • Khurram Shahzad3-0-22-1

Now this innings from Imad Wasim takes me back to his unbeaten 49* against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup. He soaked in heaps of pressure and played a key role in that win.

16.6
0
Wood to Haider Ali, no run, Hurls down a nasty throat ball and gets rapped on the helmet, looks a bit jolted, concussion test will follow. That was well-directed, he lifted his front leg and tried to go for a swivel pull but the ball got big on him 144.4 kmph mean bumper
16.5
2
Wood to Haider Ali, 2 runs, Shortens his length and it's zagging away just outside off, inside-edge onto the pads and it flutters away into the on side
16.4
4
Wood to Haider Ali, FOUR, Short and too wide, he says thank you very much and spanks it with insolence over square leg umpire's head for a four, well-done umpire to duck in time. Babar Azam looks out of sorts
16.3
1
Wood to Imad Wasim, 1 run, Dug in short around the line off, uppishly steered down to deep third for a run
16.2
4
Wood to Imad Wasim, FOUR, Short of a length on off, backs away a lot but still manages to smash it through cover-point for a sizzling boundary,

sana: ""islamabad can win this match from here""

16.1
0
Wood to Imad Wasim, no run, Skips down the track and wallops it down towards extra cover

END OF OVER:
16 | 11 Runs | IU: 140/5 (46 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.75, RRR: 11.50)

  • Haider Ali26 (19b)
  • Imad Wasim39 (32b)
  • Khurram Shahzad3-0-22-1
  • Mehran Mumtaz4-0-31-1
15.6
0
Khurram Shahzad to Haider Ali, no run, Over the wicket, drags his length back and errs on the leg side, think it brushed his pad and ricocheted to Haris who nestled it quickly to prevent any extras, Haider Ali is livid with himself
15.5
2
Khurram Shahzad to Haider Ali, 2 runs, Another full-bunger just outside off, shuffles across his stumps and hits with some oomph to deep midwicket, was in the slot, couldn't make full use of it, sprints back for the second
15.5
7nb
Khurram Shahzad to Haider Ali, (no ball) SIX, Wanders down leg and he follows him with a high full-toss, Haider still manages to get plenty on it to send it soaring over Powell at long-on who gamely jumped but got no dice. And it's a double-whammy, he overstepped so it's going to be a free hit, momentum shifting in the favour of Islamabad

United 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st6MJ GuptillAD Hales
2nd14MJ GuptillAgha Salman
3rd1MJ GuptillShadab Khan
4th29MJ GuptillImad Wasim
5th41Imad WasimAzam Khan
6th98Imad WasimHaider Ali

Pakistan Super League

TeamMWLPTNRR
MS1073141.15
PZ1063130.147
IU1054110.224
QG105411-0.921
KK10468-0.192
LQ10183-0.554