Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi to win PSL 2019

KARACHI – Quetta Gladiators lifted the PSL 2019 trophy after defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final match of the fourth edition of Pakistan's premier T20 league at National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Earlier the Darren Sammy-led Yellow Storm set a 138-run target for the Team Quetta, captained by Sarfraz Ahmed.

Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad smashed a half-century to help Gladiators win the title for the first time.

NSK chants, Ahmed... Ahmed... Ahmed!!! @iamAhmadshahzad celebrates his fifty and possibly match winning contribution from the opener.
LIVE: https://t.co/AvvNVO1kH6#HBLPSL #KhelDeewanoKa #QGvPZ pic.twitter.com/BTbbZHjKcD

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2019

Imamul Haq scored 3, Kamran Akmal 21, Shoaib Maqsood 20, Umer Amin 38, Dareen Sammy 18 and Wahab Riaz 12 after sent in to bat first by Quetta.

Mohammad Hasnain took four wickets while Mohammad Nawaz and DJ Bravo three wickets apiece for team Quetta.

The #PurpleForce of @TeamQuetta controlled the first half of the game. What do you think will the target of 139 be an easy chase? Or @PeshawarZalmi have what it takes to defend this total?

LIVE: https://t.co/AvvNVO1kH6#HBLPSL #KhelDeewanoKa #QGvPZ pic.twitter.com/oHPZodk2kR

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2019

Toss update ➡️ @TeamQuetta win the toss and elect to field first.#HBLPSL #KhelDeewanoKa #QGvPZ pic.twitter.com/kIt3ZwSh27

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2019

Before the match started, a closing ceremony was held, starting with a moment of silence to pay respects to the victims of the Christchurch shooting in New Zealand.

Thousands of the cricket fans throng to the stadium and all stands are chock-full of cricket-crazy people.

The match was screened across the country.

The closing ceremony started off with the performances by Abrarul Haq Aima Baig Fawad Hasan, followed by a high octane performance by Junoon who sang "Zamaane ke andaaz", "Khudi ko kar buland" and "Sayyonee".

A national favourite "Dil dil Pakistan" was also performed by the band.

Punjabi Pop King, @AbrarUlHaqPK performing at the closing ceremony of the #HBLPSL2019#KhelDeewanoKa pic.twitter.com/aOAg7U6l9f

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2019

Earlier, Sarfaraz led Quetta qualified final for two times while Darren Sammy’s Peshawar one time reached the mega event final and one-time won PSL in 2017.

In PSL 2019, Gladiators have won all three fixtures against Zalmi in the tournament so far.

A day before the grand #HBLPSL final, rival captains @darensammy88 of @PeshawarZalmi & @SarfarazA_54 of @TeamQuetta and the ultimate prize, the Pakistan trophy visit the iconic Quaid's Mausoleum.

Read #QGvPZ Final Preview: https://t.co/QBl4rEb5kb pic.twitter.com/cNUGjvuQhK

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 16, 2019

A trophy exhibition ceremony was held at the stadium on Saturday. An interesting moment took place when both Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Peshawar Zalmi skipper Darren Sammy each gestured to the other to take the trophy, both hesitating to pick it up themselves.

This year, Quetta has an edge leaving the head-to-head in their favour with seven wins, five defeats and one no-result in 12 contests.

All roads on Sunday will lead to the National Stadium for the HBL PSL final#HBLPSL #KhelDeewanoKa

Read More ?https://t.co/kZruYkw5ES pic.twitter.com/4zaHlX8gEC

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 16, 2019

The Yellow Storm will be led by fans’ favourite Darren Sammy, whose inspirational leadership took Zalmi to claim the crown in the second edition.

However, Sammy’s fitness issues remain a concern. Zalmi will also have the services of Pakistan’s most successful Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

PSL 2019 trophy unveiled at National Stadium before Karachi Final

The batting line will also feature PSL's most successful batsman Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Kieron Pollard. The side has also picked Imam-ul Haq, who is in a good knick in limited overs cricket.

On the bowling front, the likes of Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and Chris Jordan compile a potential match-winning attack.

Fawad Khan, Aima Baig, Shuja Haider, Junoon, Young Desi and Abrar-ul-Haq will grace the closing ceremony.

The ceremony will be hosted by one of the most popular anchors and singers, Karachi’s very own Fakhar-e-Alam. Spain’s football star Carles Puyol will be a special guest at the closing ceremony. The Barcelona central defender earned 100 international caps and won the Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup 2010.

The chief guest will be Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sheikh Rasheed will watch the live actions from the stadium.

The PCB has also planned a spectacular fireworks display, which will start after the final ends.

Teams

Quetta Gladiators: Shane Watson, Ahmed Shehzad, Ahsan Ali, Rilee Rossouw, Umar Akmal, Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nawaz, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Hasnain, Fawad Ahmed.

Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran Akmal (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Kieron Pollard, Sohaib Maqsood, Darren Sammy (capt), Wahab Riaz, Chris Jordan, Hasan Ali, Tymal Mills, Umar Amin, Nabi Gul.