The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 final between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans was hit by a massive controversy as Imad Wasim was pictured smoking inside the dressing room at the National Stadium in Karachi. Wasim, who took a five-wicket haul for Islamabad United, was caught on camera smoking during the Multan Sultans innings and the video led to a lot of criticism from fans on social media. The controversy did not stop there as after Islamabad United clinched the trophy with a narrow win, Imad celebrated with a smoking gesture – leading to more conversations online.
Resilient Islamabad United snatched a last-ball thriller to beat Multan Sultans by two wickets in the final in Karachi on Monday, winning the Pakistan Super League title for a third time.
Jalti par namak
Imad Wasim ciggrete Celebration pic.twitter.com/Iy7k8FxnMu
— Imran Siddique (@imransiddique89) March 18, 2024
Young Hunain Shah pushed the final delivery of the last over for a boundary towards backward point as United overhauled a modest 160-run target at the National Stadium.
United needed eight runs off the 20th over bowled by Mohammad Ali and Hunain’s elder brother Naseem Shah hit a boundary off the second delivery but with a single needed off the last two deliveries he fell caught behind.
Imad showing how it’s done ……
Well not batting or bowling but his Cigarette smoking skills#ImadWasim #IUvMS #HBLPSLFinal pic.twitter.com/C7B0KljKWz— Kamran Ali (@Kam007_tweet) March 18, 2024
However, Hunain kept his cool to give Sultans defeat in their third successive finals.
Earlier, Sultans managed 159-9 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.
They were guided by a 40-ball 57 by Usman Khan and 26 by skipper Mohammad Rizwan.
Khan hit seven boundaries and a six but once he fell in the 16th over, Sultans lost five wickets for just 13 runs, slumping to 127-9. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim was the chief destroyer with 5-23 while Naseem grabbed 3-32.
It was Iftikhar Ahmed who revived the innings with a whirlwind 20-ball 32 not out with three sixes and as many boundaries, scoring 31 in the last two overs. United were also derailed from 121-4 to 129-7 but Wasim guided late order batters with a calm 17-ball 19 to help them cross the finish line.
United, Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators qualified for the play-offs while Karachi Kings and defending champions Lahore Qalandars were knocked out in the first round of the ninth edition of the League.
(With AFP inputs)
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