The much awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) final pits Multan Sultans against Islamabad United this Monday, March 18. Following a month of intense Twenty20 cricket action, the PSL 2024 has reached its championship match, with the former winners, the Sultans, vying with their Islamabad counterparts for the coveted trophy.
The Sultans have been the more formidable side in the competition, defeating Peshawar Zalmi handily in Qualifier 1 after winning seven of their ten league stage games.
With two straight knockout victories over Quetta Gladiators and Zalmi in Eliminator 1 and 2, respectively, Islamabad United, on the other hand, are flying high into the championship game.
When the Sultans defeated the Zalmi franchise in Qualifier 1, they furthered demonstrated their supremacy and general strength. With seven wickets in hand and nearly two overs left in the second half, the Mohammad Rizwan-led team easily defeated the opposition, restricting them to just 146/7 despite Babar Azam’s measured 46.
Islamabad United’s confidence and morale would have increased after two straight victories over the Gladiators and the Zalmi team in direct knockout matches, as they would have felt confident enough to upset the top-seeded Sultans in the championship game. Following a convincing victory over the Gladiators, the United brilliantly overcame the Peshawar team on Saturday, March 16, chasing down an intimidating target of 186 despite being down to 91/5 at one point.
PSL final Match Details
Tournament: Pakistan Super League
Match: Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Time: 9:30 PM IST
Broadcast & Live Streaming: FanCode App
Pitch Report
The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi was at its best during the United and Zalmi Eliminator 2 match, as the former overcame the latter’s intimidating first-innings total of 185/5 in spite of the pressure of playing a knockout game. The batters could consistently hit through the line because the surface remained true and gave them enough pace and bounce. That is most likely going to be the case when United plays the Sultans again in the final.
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Probable 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
