Islamabad United were crowned first Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions after thrashing favourites Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the packed Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The duo of West Indian Dwayne Smith and Aussie Brad Haddin shone with half centuries as the Misbah-ul-Haq’s side made the difficult target of 175 runs look ordinary, achieving it with eight balls to spare.
Smith started attacking the Gladiators bowlers early and gave United a good start of 54 in 5.4 overs along with Sharjeel Khan (13). Later, Haddin joined the Caribbean star to add to Gladiators’ woes as both the batsmen took the score to 139 in the 16th over.
The Carribean star, who struck 73 from just 51 deliveries from seven fours and four sixes, completed his half century in 33 deliveries. Gladiators attempted to bounce back after wickets of Smith and Andre Russell (7) but Haddin stuck in to ensure the title for United. The Aussie wicket-keeper remained unbeaten on 61 from 39 deliveries.
He blasted five sixes and a couple of boundaries in his knock. Skipper Misbah scored the winning run as jubilation kicked off for United and their avid fans.
“It’s an honour to win the first edition,” Misbah said after the triumph. “Overall it was a team performance but Dwayne Smith and Brad Haddin played especial knocks to help us winning the final.”
Earlier, the Gladiators recovered well from wicket in the first over to post a challenging target, courtesy to half centuries from Ahmed Shehzad (64) and Kumar Sangakkara (55), after Misbah decided to field first.
Bismillah Khan, who played an impressive knock of 55 in the qualifying final victory over Peshawar Zalmi, was dismissed by Mohammad Irfan in the third delivery of the first over for nought. Shehzad looked in good touch and shared 31 runs for the second wicket with Kevin Pietersen before the England star returned to the dug-out after scoring run-a-ball 18 in the sixth over.
Sangakkara then joined the Pakistani opener as the duo took the score to 120-3 in 14.3 overs, giving a solid platform to the middle-order batters to take on the star-studded United bowling line-up. The former Sri Lanka skipper took just 32 balls in his knock including seven boundaries and a couple of sixes.
Both the England and Sri Lankan stars were dismissed by Andre Russell who also took a wicket of Anwar Ali (13) to finish with figures of 3-36 from his four overs.
Shehzad struck nine boundaries and a six in his sparkling innings of 39 deliveries. Mohammad Sami, who sunk the Karachi Kings batting in the qualifying final, dismissed the in-form opener. Irfan grabbed a wicket of Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed (3) to complete his brace for 25 runs from three overs.
Gladiators, mentored by legendary Sir Vivian Richards, started as favourites to win the title as they entered the final with eight victories from ten matches.
The Peninsula
