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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Hunain kept his cool to give Sultans defeat in their third successive finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
United skipper Shadab Khan praised a total team effort.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It was a total team effort," said Shadab. "We peaked at the right time in the league and that mattered in the end."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
United also won the inaugural PSL title in 2016 and doubled it two years later.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, Sultans managed 159-9 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They were guided by a 40-ball 57 by Usman Khan and 26 by skipper Mohammad Rizwan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim was the chief destroyer with 5-23 while Naseem grabbed 3-32.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For the winners, former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill top-scored with a 32-ball 50 with three sixes and four boundaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Azam Khan hit a 22-ball 30 with a six and four boundaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n