Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi, snatch PSL 2018 title

KARACHI -  Islamabad United clinched their second Pakistan Super League (PSL) title after a thrilling three-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday night.

In reply to Peshawar Zalmi's 148/9, United chased down the target in 18.5 overs. Riding on a stellar knock by opener Luke Ronchi (54), Islamabad got off to a flying start. Ronchi reached his half-century in only 25 balls. He hit four boundaries and five sixes in the process and was ably supported by Sahibzada Farhan.

Ronchi was eventually dismissed for 52 runs after getting caught by Andre Fletcher off Chris Jordan's delivery.

Both Ronchi and Farhan gave Islamabad a perfect start as the duo stitched a 96-run partnership for the first wicket. After Ronchi's departure, Peshawar Zalmi fought back with two quick wickets in the 10th and 11th over. Chadwick Walton (0) and skipper Jean-Paul Duminy (2) fell cheaply.

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LIVE UPDATES

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Daily Pakistan presents live updates and action of the PSL 2018 final between  Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi straight from Karachi.

Complete scorecard

And the thriller at NSK ends! Congratulations to the #HBLPSL 2018 champions @IsbUnited. WORTHY CHAMPIONS! #SherakiDhaar in Karachi

For highlights visit: https://t.co/swS6t4F8V5#DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/IsqL9ADWbW

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Faheem Ashraf scores the match-winning six for Islamabad United!

Faheem Ashraf scores the match-winning six for Islamabad United!

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/u7GanoAfmg

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Hasan Ali brought back in the attack to get a wicket and he does the job. Samit Patel departs as Hafeez takes a blinder at mid-on.

OUT! 13.6 Hasan Ali to Shadab Khan

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/1xqh3M1dFJ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

1⃣0⃣0⃣ up for ISLU!

Come on, boys. FOCUS! This is ours ?#UnitedWeWin #SherKiDhaar #PZvIU #PSLFinalInKarachi

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 25, 2018

Breakthrough for Zalmi as Ronchi went back to the pavilions.

OUT! 8.5 Chris Jordan to Luke Ronchi

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/drwJwxIQpy

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Luke Ronchi is taking the Peshawar Zalmi bowling apart.

Second Innings

SIX! 3.4 Liam Dawson to Luke Ronchi

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/aCCrSZhBZs

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

SIX! 2.5 Hasan Ali to Luke Ronchi

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/RWaBmHtFfG

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

SIX! 1.4 Sameen Gul to Luke Ronchi

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/2wNjsXxD6R

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

SIX! 0.5 Hasan Ali to Luke Ronchi

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/jyrC9ADgLR

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Hussain Talat gets his second as Saad Nasim departs for two. Peshawar Zalmi 101/5 in 14.1 overs.

OUT! 14.1 Hussain Talat to Saad Nasim

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/H9Q8C3HxZp

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Poor delivery from Faheem and Liam Dawson hammered it over the boundary. The Zalmis are getting back on track.

SIX! 8.5 Faheem Ashraf to Liam Dawson

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/ayID5AB4Jd

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

SIX! 7.4 Shadab Khan to Chris Jordan

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/gmu8Fl2KaS

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Shadab Khan traps Andre Fletcher in front of the wicket with a quicker delivery. Peshawar lose three quick wickets.

OUT! 5.6 Shadab Khan to Andre Fletcher

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/WokwY9xyIE

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

OUT! 5.6 Shadab Khan to Andre Fletcher

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/WokwY9xyIE

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Mohammad Hafeez departs after scoring eight runs.

OUT! 4.1 Samit Patel to Mohammad Hafeez

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/WsuAR4ilYw

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

OUT! 2.4 Samit Patel to Kamran Akmal

Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/gZqlEqkn1E

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

The opening ceremony has ended. The stadium is packed and the players are all warmed up. Misbahul Haq is not playing today due to injury.

Darren Sammy is dancing on the stage. This final is surely special for the fans.

Waqai Koi Nahi Hay In Jaisa!!!!@darensammy88 @RealHa55an Andre Fletcher#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/phQVKBZhB9

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

The iconic band @stringsonline on stage! The closing ceremony here at NSK is LIT ?#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/vW1yjcjqaV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Karachi Main Aaya Final...

Sab Mil Ke Josh Dikhain Gey...

Yeh Sheher Barhy Dil Walon Ka...

Sab Apas Main Jurh Jaing Gey!!!@ShehzadRoy on stage singing #DeDhanaDhan#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/Y30Ih4vIkV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Farhan Saeed on stage asking "Kitna Hai Dum"#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/N4bJsHJ9BO

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Chairman PCB and PSL, @najamsethi giving his thanks giving speech at the #HBLPSL 2018 closing ceremony#DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/CsShEQchGS

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

.@AimaBaig3 on stage!

Bhanwain Sir Di Baazi Lag Jaaway#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/Bdc7oVc5sV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Chairman PCB and PSL, @najamsethi giving his thanks giving speech at the closing ceremony of the #HBLPSL 2018#DilSeKaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/4pwXx9h2PI

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

The match started at 8:00pm PST. PTV Sports, Ten Sports, and Geo Sports being broadcast live match in Pakistan and UAE.

You can also download Goonj application for live streaming. Cricket fans can also view the match online on the PSL-T20 Official website. For the live score, updates, and analysis, you can follow dailypakistan.com.pk.

PSL 2018: Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United final - Here’s what you need to know

On the other hand, the players of both teams have requested cricket lovers to come out in support of their respective sides.

Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy said that he wanted the people of Karachi to support his side. He added, “I want everyone to wear the yellow shirt”.

Islamabad United batsman Jean Paul Duminy confirmed that he is traveling to Karachi. He said, “Don’t forget to support us”.

Islamabad United, who finished at the top of round-robin stage, qualified for the final after comprehensively beating Karachi Kings by eight wickets.

Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by a single run in the first eliminator. They went on to qualify for the final by beating Karachi Kings by 13 runs.

All tickets for the match were sold out in six hours. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi has asked everyone not to contact him for free passes for the PSL matches.

Strict security measures are being taken to ensure to untoward incident takes place during the match.

Squads

ISLAMABAD UNITED

Luke Ronchi(w), Sahibzada Farhan, Chadwick Walton, Jean-Paul Duminy(c), Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Samit Patel, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Sami, Amad Butt

PESHAWAR ZALMI 

Kamran Akmal(w), Andre Fletcher, Mohammad Hafeez, Saad Nasim, Darren Sammy(c), Liam Dawson, Umaid Asif, Chris Jordan, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Sameen Gul

Match Prediction

Peshawar 40%

Islamabad 60%