Sharjah: Islamabad United lifted the Pakistan Super League trophy for the second time defeating Peshwar Zalmi by three wickets in the final of the third edition of the league in Karachi on Sunday night.
It was to be a battle between the in-form batsmen, Islamabad’s Luke Ronchi and defending champions Peshawar’s Kamran Akmal. In the final, the consistent Akmal failed to get a good start, falling for just one run while Ronchi went on to crack 52 runs and gave Islamabad a stupendous start along with his partner Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 44 runs. Together they put on 96 runs in 8.5 overs while chasing Peshawar’s total of 148 for 9.
Peshawar had won the toss and elected to bat first. They lost Akmal, trapped leg before by Samit Patel for just one run. Patel also took the prize wicket of Mohammad Hafeez, caught and bowled for 8. Except for Andre Fletcher (21), Chris Jordan (36) and Liam Dawson (33), none of the other batsmen even reached double figures. Wahab Riaz, batting down the order, hit an unbeaten 28.
Chasing the score, Islamabad, after the good start from their openers, lost wickets at regular intervals but Asif Ali hit an unbeaten 26 and ensured the team’s victory with 19 balls to spare.
