Season IV of Pakistan Super League is currently going on Dubai, with six teams including Islamabad United, Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars competing for the PSL crown. With all the thrilling matches and nail-biting encounters going on, let’s revamp all the exciting and last ball finishes we’ve witnessed in HBLPSL history till day.
Season-1 (2016)
The first Season of HBLPSL had five teams competing for the crown, which was won by Islamabad United, as they beat Quetta Gladiators in the final. Here we look at some of the thrilling matches of PSL’s first season.
Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings.
Karachi opted to field first, with Watson and Sharjeel provided Islamabad a good opening stand; Watson made 13 and Sharjeel scored 28, but the middle order and the tailenders of United’s team couldn’t coup with Karachi’s bowling and they could only manage 132/8, with Bopara picked up 25-2.
Taking full advantage of slow pitch, Islamabad’s spin bowling attack straightaway put Karachi’s batting under pressure with Saeed Ajmal taking 27-3, and despite of Imad Wasim’s 29, Karachi could only manage 130/9, ended up losing the game on last ball by 2 runs only.
Hero of the match:Saeed Ajmal 27-3 & Russell 23-1.
Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators:
Lahore took on Quetta in the 18th game of HBLPSL-1.
Lahore’s 201 for 2 was built on the back of rapid half-centuries from their top three – Chris Gayle, Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal. They began with a 108-run opening stand between Gayle and Azhar; Gayle slammed a quick fire 34-ball 60 which featured six sixes. Azhar contributed with 61 off 45 balls, while Akmal provided the late thrust, drilling four fours and four sixes during an unbeaten 25-ball 55. Anwar Ali remained the most expensive bowler with the figures of 4-0-57-0.
Pietersen’s blast gave Quetta much-needed impetus, as he and the opener Bismillah Khan put up 73 for the second wicket. Bismillah compiled 55 off 30 balls, but Quetta were dealt a double-blow when both he and Pietersen were dismissed off successive balls from Dwayne Bravo in the ninth over, tilting the game Lahore’s way. Kumar Sangakkara (37) and Sarfraz Ahmed (21) pitched in with a handy 61-run partnership to keep Quetta in sight of the target. Ehsan Adil picked with 39-4, Nabi was on hand to script a stunning turnaround. Quetta needed 15 off six balls; Lahore Qalandars needed two wickets, but Nabi’s willow turned the game in Quetta’s favour, as he hit Zohaib Khan for the boundary off the last ball to seal the game for Quetta.
Hero of the match: Bismillah Khan: 55(30) & Nabi 30(12)
Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi:
In the first Qualifying Final, top two teams; Peshawar and Quetta took on each other in Dubai, with both teams hoping to win the game for a direct spot in the final.
In front of a packed crowd, Peshawar opted to field first with Quetta’s strong batting lineup failed to set a good total on the turning track. Bismillah Khan was removed for a duck, while Shahzad could only manage 6. KP and Sangakkara took the charge and provided some entertainment to the crowd, with KP scoring 53 and Sangakkara made 37, but no one except the two-star batsman kept on going for Gladiators as they were bundled out for 133 in the 20th over. Wahab Riaz took 17-3.
Chasing a modest total of 134, Quetta was dented early on by Nawaz’s spell of 27-3, which brought them back into the game. Hafeez, Shahid Yousaf and Bairstow all made 15, but Sammy’s late surge of 38, shifts the balance in Zalmi’s favor, with 8 needed in the final over, Aizaz Cheema delivered for what he’s known the best. Dismissed Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali to handover the most remarkable victory for Quetta by 1 run only.
Hero of the Game: Elliot 19-3, Nawaz 27-3.
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