KARACHI, MAR 17: Multan Sultans are set to take on Islamabad United in the eagerly anticipated final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine on Monday (March 18) at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Stadium.
Following a month of thrilling T20 action, PSL 2024 has reached its pinnacle, with former champions Sultans aiming to recapture the coveted trophy against their Islamabad counterparts.
The Sultans have displayed dominance throughout the competition, securing victory in seven out of their ten league stage fixtures before convincingly triumphing over Peshawar Zalmi in Qualifier 1.
Meanwhile, United entered the final with significant confidence, having won two consecutive knockout matches against Quetta Gladiators and Zalmi in Eliminator 1 and 2, respectively.
The Sultans reinforced their dominance and overall expertise in the manner with which they defeated the Zalmi in Qualifier 1.
Constraining the opposition to just 146/7 despite Babar Azam’s measured 46, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side then comfortably secured victory in the second half with seven wickets in hand and almost two overs remaining.
Bowlers set up the contest for the Sultans, with Usama Mir and Chris Jordan delivering strong performances.
Young opener Yasir Khan then showcased an enterprising knock of 54 to lay the groundwork for the Sultans’ chase before No.3 Usman Khan’s attacking 36 not out sealed the victory.
Two consecutive wins in direct knock-out games over the Gladiators and the Zalmi would have boosted United’s morale and confidence as they would believe they could outperform the leading Sultans in the final showdown.
Following a convincing win over the Gladiators, United thwarted the Peshawar side in a remarkable turnaround on Saturday, where they successfully chased down a formidable target of 186 despite being in a precarious position at 91/5 at one stage.
Outstanding half-centuries from experienced all-rounder Imad Wasim and promising right-hander Haider Ali transformed their fortunes and helped United secure a place in the championship final.
Pitch Report
The wicket at the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi exhibited its authentic characteristics during the Eliminator 2 encounter between the United and Zalmi. The pitch remained true, providing batsmen with pace and bounce to strike through the line consistently. This trend is expected to continue in the final when United confront the Sultans once again.
Likely Playing XIs
Multan Sultans: Yasir Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (C & Wk), Usman Khan, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali
Islamabad United: Martin Guptill, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan (C), Azam Khan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Obed McCoy
Prediction
While the Sultans have proven to be the stronger of the two teams in the competition, the United have gained significant momentum after securing two consecutive knock-out victories. However, the Sultans may still perceive themselves to have the advantage, considering their superior all-round capabilities.
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