In pictures: Islamabad United win PSL with Karachi back on the cricket map
The PSL final is seen as a major step towards reviving international cricket in the country.
The stands of Karachi's National Stadium roared with the chants of a packed crowd as international cricket returned to the metropolis after a nine-year break with the Pakistan Super League final on Sunday.
The PSL final — in which Islamabad United beat title holders Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets — is a major step towards reviving international cricket, that was suspended in 2009 following attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.
Islamabad, who won the inaugural PSL champions titles in 2016, rode on a brisk 26-ball 52 by Luke Ronchi spiced with five sixes and four boundaries which anchored his team's successful chase of 149-run target in 16.5 overs.
Ronchi also finished as top run-getter with 435 runs in 11 matches. Asif Ali smashed three sixes in his 26 not out.
Chris Jordan of Peshawar Zalmi takes catch to dismiss Shadab Khan of Islamabad United. —AFP
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Comments (15) Closed
Mar 26, 2018 12:54am
Everybody wins today
Cricket is back
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Mar 26, 2018 01:11am
Congrats Islamabad United, well played Peshawar Zalmi. See you all next year.
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Mar 26, 2018 01:18am
Cricket is back in Pakistan with a big bang. Bravo to the organizers of the event and the cricketers who visited Pakistan and showed to the rest of the world that peace prevails in Pakistan.
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Mar 26, 2018 01:21am
Alhamdulillah! After a long time everyone is smiling and the more importantly taking ownership of PSL with pride. Big thanks to Najam Sethi Sahib and his team. Well done boys!!
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Mar 26, 2018 04:24am
Thank you najam Sethi and nawaz sharif
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Mar 26, 2018 04:48am
We all won today, congratulations Karachi congratulations Pakistan
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Mar 26, 2018 08:58am
Totally uncalled for the Chinese flag, they don't even know, what is cricket. Perhaps, the Zalmi team's marketing division wanted to show some solidarity to the Chinese cricket players in Zalmi side, who did not get a chance to be in action.
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Mar 26, 2018 11:50am
Its a big slap on India. See how loving and peaceful are we.
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Mar 26, 2018 12:46pm
Great to see Metropolis to embrace million smiles and cheers. Hats off to PCB, Najam Sheti, Nawaz Sharif, CM Sind and all stake holders. Wonderful BRAVO!
Long live Pakistan.
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Mar 26, 2018 01:10pm
well done to Karachi and Pakistan. All went well except the presentation at the end. Rameez cant cope. They should have had a champions stage and just give trophy to captain. What happened was about 10 people all touching the trophy.
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Mar 26, 2018 04:27pm
@umar
What has mr sharif got to do with it! please keep sports and politics separate
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Mar 26, 2018 04:31pm
The most relevant picture is missing: Kamran Akmal, the wicket keeper dropping a sitter for any school wicket keeper! This wicket keeper had heavily cushioned gloves on too. What would you say to that friends?
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Mar 26, 2018 08:51pm
Psl was successful as public event but in terms of hunting new talent for pakistan as openers is very dissappointing as no pakistan opener was selected by six teams those who tried to use some pakistani batsmen as openers miserably failed as went back to foreign players as openers.sahabzada farhan only new blood but due to his reckless attitude still long way to go in terms getting national cap.
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Mar 26, 2018 09:38pm
Great to see cricket back in Karachi with a bang. What a beautiful outfield and pitch. However, it was somewhat of a dissapointment with young domestic talent. It seemed like many of the seniors, who dont play for their countries anymore, outperformed them. I wish our coaches can help the youngsters by reviewing and learning from tapes of the senior players who gave outstanding performances. We need two openers like Ronchi.
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Mar 27, 2018 06:54am
A success for Pakistan
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