Imad Wasim caught smoking in dressing room© X (Twitter)
Islamabad United all-rounder Imad Wasim put in a match-winning show in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 final on Sunday, taking a 5-wicket haul to restrict Multan Sultans to 159/9. Wasim picked up some important wickets of Yasir Khan, David Willey, etc. to register one of his finest performances in the T20 league. But, not long after his magical spell on the field, Wasim triggered a big controversy after he was caught smoking in the team’s dressing room while the match was going on.
The shutterbugs zoomed in on Imad, showing him smoking a cigarette in the Multan Sultans dressing room, and the video went viral on social media, with the player receiving plenty of backlash.
PAKISTAN “SMOKING” LEAGUE #HBLPSL9 #HBLPSLFinal pic.twitter.com/pwpaj4bLh8
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 18, 2024
Wasim’s fabulous figures of 5/23 in 4 overs laid the foundation for Islamabad United’s triumph in the final. After restricting Multan Sultans to 159, Wasim’s side did struggle a bit in reaching the target. It was on the final ball of the match that the winning runs were eventually scored.
“Didn’t know that it would go on to be the best ever tournament. Just wanted to have an impact in the team’s win. It was a new experience – taking five wickets in the final. Took lesson that we should’ve finished it one over earlier. I’m happy playing cricket. Trying my utmost to contribute for the team. 4-5 years of cricket left in me,” Imad Wasim said after the final as he was named the player of the match.
Islamabad captain Shadab Khan highlighted the technicalities of the game in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Felt that the more time I had, could utilise it better with bat. At number 6-7, I don’t have the power game. Have tried to fix my technical issues as a bowler. That’s a long process, and the improvements will come. Watching the match is tough for me. In the middle I don’t feel pressure, but watching it from outside is tough. I make life difficult for people next to me as well, so I don’t sit with batters who are supposed to walk in next. Special mention to the owners who have backed me. I was captain for five years and we didn’t reach final, but they backed me. Lot of things I feel that make this trophy very important for us,” he said.
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