• Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 5 wickets in Qualifier 2 of PSL 2024.

  • Imad Wasim played a match-winning knock of 59 not out for Islamabad.

Twitter reactions: Imad Wasim’s batting heroics seal final berth for Islamabad United in PSL 2024
Haider Ali, Imad Wasim (PC: X)

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Islamabad United have booked their place in the PSL 2024 final thanks to a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday. This marks the second consecutive day where all-rounder Imad Wasim proved instrumental for his team, this time with a match-winning knock.

Shaky start for Islamabad United

Chasing a target of 186, Islamabad United got off to a shaky start, losing their top three batsmen – Alex Hales, Agha Salman and Shadab Khan – cheaply. Martin Guptill provided a brief spark with a 34-run cameo, but his dismissal just before the powerplay overs ended left United in a precarious position at 50/4.

With the odds stacked against them, Haider Ali emerged as the unlikely hero for United. His aggressive knock of 52 not out off just 29 deliveries, peppered with boundaries, revived their chase. Imad, initially playing a cautious innings, began to accelerate alongside Haider, contributing a crucial 59 himself.

Imad Wasim and Haider Ali change game for Islamabad

The turning point came in the 18th over bowled by Aamer Jamal. Needing 35 runs off the final three overs, Imad and Haider took full advantage. Imad smashed boundaries at the start and end of the over, while Haider launched two sixes over deep midwicket, propelling them closer to victory. The Islamabad side clinched victory with an over to spare, with Imad providing the finishing touches.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi had posted a decent total of 185-5 on the board, thanks to a brilliant opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Babar Azam. Ayub, who later shone with the ball, surprised everyone with a blazing 73-run knock. However, a middle-order collapse triggered by Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah restricted them from reaching a truly dominant total.

Also READ: Pakistan Super League 2024 – Stats

Islamabad United will now face Multan Sultans in the final on Monday, March 18.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also WATCH: Chris Jordan bowls an inch-perfect yorker to clean up Babar Azam in Qualifier 1 – PSL 2024

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ANIRUDH SINGH
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