ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday congratulated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and security forces for holding final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Pakistan.
The prime minister also congratulated Quetta Gladiators and his old friend Vivian Richards for winning the fourth season of PSL and expressed the hope that next season will be held in Pakistan completely.
“Congratulations to PCB, all the organisers & security forces for holding a successful PSL extravaganza in Pakistan. Congratulations to Quetta Gladiators & their manager & my friend Viv Richards on their win. InshaAllah, the next PSL will be held entirely in Pakistan,” the premier wrote.
Congratulations to PCB, all the organisers & security forces for holding a successful PSL extravaganza in Pakistan. Congratulations to Quetta Gladiators & their manager & my friend Viv Richards on their win. InshaAllah, the next PSL will be held entirely in Pakistan.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 18, 2019
Pakistan on Sunday hosted the third successive final of Pakistan Super League (PSL), rejuvenating the hopes for the return of international cricket to the country.
The international cricket teams had refused to visit Pakistan after an attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, however, the country’s security situation has significantly improved as a result of the Pakistan Army’s security operation, paving way for the return of mega T-20 event to the country.
Pakistan also builds its case for the return of international cricket on the basis of PSL matches in the country, a litmus test for the cricket-crazy nation.
Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi went head-to-head at the National Stadium Karachi which was not only filled with cricket fans from across the country, and the globe, but was also witnessed by top government officials and politicians, among others, on top of the millions who watched the final live on TV.
Over 28,000 spectators packed the stadium before Gladiators triumphed over Zalmi to clinch the PSL 4 title — their first since the league started in 2015.
THE MATCH:
Ahmad Shehzad anchored the Gladiators’ innings with 58 (51) alongside Rilee Rossouw 39 (32). Wahab Riaz was the only Zalmi player to pick a wicket by dismissing Ahsan Ali. Shane Watson departed early after Umar Amin ran him out.
Put into bat by Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Zalmi lost their first wicket of Imamul Haq courtesy Mohammad Hasnain. Kamran Akmal soon followed when he was dismissed off Mohammad Nawaz’s delivery at the end of the 4th over. He put up 21 runs off 15 balls.
Sohaib Maqsood was the third man down, caught at long off by Rossouw owing to a witty slower delivery by Bravo. He scored an even 20 runs off 20 balls.
Umer Amin was next, caught out by Sohail Tanvir off Mohammad Hasnain’s delivery at deep mid wicket. He put up 38 runs off 33 balls.
Nabi Gul was caught out at 14.4 overs attempting to score a big one by Ahmed Shehzad at deep mid wicket. Fawad Ahmed claimed this one. Gul made 9 runs off 12 balls.
It was then up to Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy to rescue the side. Unfortunately, Pollard did not stick around for much longer as he was edged out to the keeper by Mohammad Hasnain, who with this wicket had claimed his third. He scored a disappointing 7 runs off 12 balls.
Sammy and Wahab Riaz were in a desperate attempt to add runs in the last three overs.
Sammy hit a four to mercifully send the scoreboard ticking at 18.3 overs and again sent the ball smashing for another four at the end of the over, managing to score 13 runs off the 19 over.
The last over saw the fall of Riaz at the second last ball when he was run out by Mohammad Nawaz. He put up 12 runs off 18 balls.
Sammy was the last man to go, fighting till the very end. He hit a full toss down to long on and was caught out by Mohammad Nawaz off Bravo’s delivery.
