Dwayne Smith and Brad Haddin helped Islamabad United clinch the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) crown at the house-full Dubai International Cricket Stadium
DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) – Islamabad United has won final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) beating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in the final match at Dubai. Quetta Gladiators scored 174 runs for the loss of seven wickets in stipulated twenty overs.
In their chase, Dwayne Smith (73) and Brad Haddin (unbeaten 61) gelled to put up an 85-run partnership under pressure for the second wicket to help their team past the finishing line.
Haddin played 39 balls to gather his unbeatable 61 hitting two four and five sixes. Islamabad replied strongly and achieved the required target of 175 in 18.4 overs. When Islamabad United scored their match-winning run, Haddin and skipper Misbah ul Haq were at the crease and expressed their jubilation by fully alofting their bats.
Man of the Match, Dwayne Smith said, “It was a good pitch and I said to myself just go there and back you.”
‘One hundred seventy-five is a big target in the final under pressure. We didn’t want to lose a lot of wickets inside the first ten overs. The bowlers also did well to restrict Quetta as they looked to go past 200 at a point and team played professionally’ said Misbah in the interview.
With the victory, Islamabad bagged a $500,000 winning purse and the coveted ‘Shooting Star’ trophy.
Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed said: “Heartiest congratulations to Islamabad United for the win. We put up a good score on the board but it was their day.” Quetta will take home a winning prize of $200,000 as the runner-ups.
Islamabad coach Wasim Akram said, ‘I want to thank people back in Pakistan, especially my family. And thanks to Dean Jones, he’s been really good and a great mentor. Initially, everyone thought T20 was a young man’s game but the way Smith and Haddin have played through the tournament was amazing.’
PSL chairman Najam Sethi, speaking at the occasion, said, ‘Winning and losing is a part of game. The world is watching that Pakistan is a peaceful country. Pakistan has shown today that they can do anything in the world. I promise you that we will take this PSL to Pakistan with more effort and hard work.’
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has congratulated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on successful arrangements and also extended his heartfelt congratulations to all participating players and teams for playing throughout the tournament.