Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United: PSL 2024 final – as it happened

That’s it from our coverage of PSL 9 as Islamabad United win a fifth straight match to claim a record third title with a two-wicket win against the Multan Sultans.

Martin Guptill’s fifty, his second in his two matches for Islamabad, led the way a the chase that went all the way to the wire.

Imad Wasim was quite rightly named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul – a first in a PSL final.

The Multan Sultans lose a third consecutive final as they fail to repeat their 2021 success. Usman Khan top scored in the match with 57 but five wickets in 12 balls ripped apart the end of the Sultans’ innings.

Khushdil Shah had the best economy of the match and claimed 2-21 from his four overs but ultimately, the wickets of Imad won the day.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage of the play stage of the PSL and the final itself.

We’ll be back with more cricket when the 2024 Indian Premier League gets under way on Friday with the Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on the Chennai Super Kings. Do join us for that one if you can.

For now though, from me Kevin Hand and the rest of the team, it’s goodbye.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 HBL PSL TITLE FOR ISLAMABAD UNITED 🏆🏆🏆

The Sherus roar to victory over Multan Sultans 🔥🦁#HBLPSLFinal | #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/uI72gNGanh

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2024

The ticker tape fires around the players, while the fireworks explode overhead in Karachi, as Islamabad captain Shadab Khan and his teammates lift the PSL trophy.

A record third title for Islamabad on the back of a five-match winning streak to end PSL 9.

A moment to forever cherish 🤩@IsbUnited lift the Orion Trophy as fireworks light up the night sky 🏆🎆#HBLPSLFinal | #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/HPDLGUcdne

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2024

The spinner became the first bowler to take five wickets in a PSL final and was unbeaten on 19 at the end.

“It was the best ever tournament, and I knew I had to make an impact,” he said at the post-match ceremony. “I am happy playing cricket, and I feel really blessed.”

🦁 Imad Wasim roars again as MOTM for his stunning fifer & match-winning innings!

A true game-changer, securing his 3rd consecutive Man of the Match award. His consistency & brilliance are unmatched.

Hats off to Maddy for steering us to glory! 🫡#MSvIU #HBPSLFinal #HBLPSL9 pic.twitter.com/RA9p4BzVEH

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 18, 2024

Islamabad United were the favourites at the interval after restricting Multan Sultans to 159-9.

Five wickets fell in 12 deliveries towards the end of the Multan innings before Iftikhar Ahmed topped up the total with 32* from 20 deliveries.

Many questions will be asked about why he batted so low in the order, especially given he had the best strike rate in the PSL 9 entering the final.

Imad Wasim’s five wickets, a first in a PSL final, was decisive for Islamabad with the ball, and that along with Martin Guptill’s strike rate for his half-century must be the two performances that separated the sides.

HBL PSL HAS PEAKED 🙌

Islamabad United become the first team to clinch 3️⃣ HBL PSL titles after a dramatic last-ball finish! ✨#HBLPSLFinal | #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/qMnmPhUM52

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2024

Four consecutive PSL finals for Multan Sultans, who lifted the trophy for the first time in 2021, but it’s three straight defeats now.

They played their part in an incredible finale, once again having lost last year’s final by one run to Lahore Qalanders.

Well played @MultanSultans 👏

You thoroughly entertained us during your royal campaign 👑#HBLPSLFinal | #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/sCu6oDpTDh

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2024

Fast bowler Tymal Mills once lost a final with Peshawar Zalmi, but is now a winner with Islamabad United – although only just.

“It’s been the story of the tournament – most matches went to the wire,” he told Sky Sports.

“It was great to win that match in front of a packed house.

“We wanted to peak at the end. The last week or 10 days, characters have stood up to be counted. Some of these players have played for the team for a long time and it’s very special.”

“I’m over the moon right now,” he told Sky Sports. “For the past three years Islamabad United has backed me so much and I’m so happy to win PSL 9.”

Raw emotions 🥹

Just what it means to the players ❤️#HBLPSLFinal | #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/BvK6HpLUzi

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2024

Islamabad United coach Mike Hesson gave his reaction to the win: “It went to the wire and was a fantastic game between the two best teams in the competition.

“The game doesn’t always go your way, and it’s about sucking up the pressure moments.”

“It was a great final for the fans to enjoy,” the Kiwi batter told Sky Sports.

On his fifty, he added: “I really enjoyed it. It was a little bit tough early on, but once you get going, you can start flowing and build partnerships.”

📸 Martin Guptill trademark ©️#MSvIU #HBLPSLFinal #HBLPSL9 #LaalHaiYeAagHai pic.twitter.com/z0z4uqjDLz

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 18, 2024

Following their wins in 2016 and 2018, Islamabad are the first team to win three PSL titles.

🏆🏆🏆

The Most Successful Franchise of Pakistan Super League!#MSvIU #HBLPSLFinal #HBLPSL9 #UnitedWeWin #LaalHaiYeAagHai pic.twitter.com/2Z3vx5rVsA

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 18, 2024

That match offered everything. Collapses, fifties, amazing fielding, disastrous fielding. We couldn’t have asked for more.

TIME TO ILLUMINATE THE ISLAMABAD EXPRESSWAY WITH LIGHTS.

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN IN RAJA BAZAAR OF RAWALPINDI.

ISLAMABAD UNITED ARE CROWNED AS THE CHAMPIONS OF #HBLPSL9.#MSvIU #HBLPSL9 #HBLPSLFinal

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 18, 2024

The field was up – it was like a Test match.

The right-hander was cool and ran the length delivery from Mohammad Ali between backward-point and short-third.

Brilliant batting from the number ten under the most incredible amount of pressure – it was his first ball!

Wow! Just wow!

Can Mohammad Ali take this to a super over?

A bouncer and an attempted upper cut is caught by Mohammad Rizwan.

Nasaeem Shah falls for 17 from nine.

Multans Sultans have to gamble at this stage.

Mohammad Ali delivers a full ball, and it’s dug out for a single by Imad Wasim.

The pair scamper through for a leg bye as the ball drops off the thigh of Naseem Shah into the on side.

The second ball of the over was very, very close to being called a no ball for overstepping by Mohammad Ali.

The seamer is so lucky to get away with that.

Naseem Shah clips four out of the blockhole through mid-wicket.

Incredible shot!