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Ronchi, Asif help Islamabad United to regain PSL title

Dunya News

Final was played at National Stadium.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Luke Ronchi’s sublime form and Asif’s late cameo helped Islamabad United to lift Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) 2018 trophy for record second time here at National Stadium, Karachi after they defeated Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets. .

United chased down the target in 17th over. 

In pursuit of 149, United were off to stellar start as Luke Ronchi and Sahibzada Farhan added 96 runs for first wicket in just 8.5 overs. Ronchi brought his fifth fifty on just 25 balls at an impressive strike rate of 200. His innings included four 4s and five 6s.

After his departure, Walton was removed by on duck by Umaid Asif as Zalmi fancied a comeback. Jordan dismissed Duminy to lift the hopes. The United skipper was dismissed on just 2 runs.

 There was a wobble in the middle of United s innings but a late cameo from Asif ensured that Islamabad regained the title for record second time.

Zalmi innings

Islamabad United’s spinners ripped through batting line-up of Peshawar Zalmi after latter opted to bat in the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 here at National Stadium Karachi. Zalmi were curtailed to runs in the allotted 20 overs of their innings.

Shadab picket 3-25 whereas Patel remained dominant with bowling figures of 26-2.

In the first two overs of Zalmi’s innings, United’s bowlers soared pressure by giving away only three runs. But Fletcher hit two consecutive boundaries in the third over. Following two boundaries, Patel made a perfect comeback and removed Akmal.

Hafeez hit first six of the final in the fourth over.

On the other hand, the left-arm spinner Patel continued to pick wickets in regular intervals. Patel caught and bowled Hafeez in his third over.

Duminy—sensing that pitch was giving help to spinners—introduced Shadab in the sixth over who removed dangerous Fletcher in his very first over to leave Zalmi in tatters in power-play.

After an early wobble, Dawson and Jordan started to curtail the damage by building a partnership. Both rotated strike and hit huge 6s on bad deliveries to lift spirit. The right-hand pair added 52 important runs for fourth wicket before Jordan fell prey to Talat in the fourteenth over. Jordan scored 36 runs on 26 balls whereas he smashed three 6s.

 Shadab blew away Zalmi’s hopes of big total after he removed Sammy and Asif on consecutive deliveries in the 16th over.

A late cameo from Wahab Riaz lifted Zalmi to a respectable total of 148 runs. 

Karachi is hosting an international event after gap of nearly a decade.

Line-ups

Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran, Fletcher, Hafeez. Nasim, Dawson, Sammy, Jordan, Hasan Ali, Wahab, Umaid, Sameen Gul

Islamabad United: Ronchi, Walton, Duminy, Farhan, Hussain, Asif, Khan, Faheem, Ammad Butt, Sami, Patel

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