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.

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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.

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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.

However, Hunain kept his cool to give Sultans defeat in their third successive finals.

United skipper Shadab Khan praised a total team effort.

"It was a total team effort," said Shadab. "We peaked at the right time in the league and that mattered in the end."

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United also won the inaugural PSL title in 2016 and doubled it two years later.

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.

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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.

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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.

For the winners, former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill top-scored with a 32-ball 50 with three sixes and four boundaries.

Azam Khan hit a 22-ball 30 with a six and four boundaries.

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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.
 

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