Imad Wasim creates PSL history during final against Multan Sultans
The Islamabad United all-rounder has been the team's best player in recent matches
Islamabad United's all-rounder Imad Wasim created history during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine final against Multan Sultans at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Monday.
Imad, 35, became the first player to take a five-wicket haul in a PSL final. The left-arm spinner ended his four-over spell with the figures of 5-23.
He started the innings brilliantly by taking two wickets in his first over, removing in-form Yasir Khan and David Willey.
Imad continued to produce magic with the ball as he went on to remove three more Sultans batters — Khushdil Shah, Johnson Charles and Chris Jordan — becoming just the first player to take five wickets in a PSL final.
Imad, who led Karachi Kings to PSL glory in 2020, has been one of Islamabad's most important player this season as he stepped up in three must-win matches for his side.
He has been performing at the highest level in the ongoing PSL 9 and was Islamabad’s key player in their must-win group match against Multan Sultans, bowled a world-class spell of 3-12 against Quetta Gladiators in the first Eliminator, and scored 59* (40) against Peshawar Zalmi in the second Eliminator.
Batting first, the Sultans escaped a massive blow in the first over as their skipper Mohammad Rizwan was removed by Islamabad’s speedster Naseem Shah but the 31-year-old got a new life as the 20-year-old had crossed the line.
However, the Sultans didn’t get much room as Imad Wasim removed in-form Yasir Khan and David Willey in the second over.
After losing two wickets, Multan decided to play with composure as Rizwan and Usman Khan formed a crucial 53-run partnership. The game looked in the Sultans’ control but their skipper departed in the 10th over after posting 26 runs with three fours.
The wickets kept falling after Rizwan’s dismissal but Usman stayed on the pitch and continued the charge against Islamabad pacers. The UAE international soon completed his half-century, but couldn’t stay much on the crease after it as Shadab Khan removed him after scoring 57 runs on 40 balls.
It looked like the Sultans would not be able to cross the 130-run mark as they had lost nine wickets for 127 runs with three more overs to go but Iftikhar stayed till the end and steered Rizwan’s men to a competitive total.
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