Islamabad United all-rounder Imad Wasim gave an apt reply to the ‘Babar Azam’ chants at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by winning the match against Multan Sultans in PSL 2024.
Imad Wasim scored 30 off just 13 balls with four fours and a six to end the match for his team, which has already qualified for the last 16 of the tournament. Islamabad United needed 13 in the final and Wasim delivered the knockout blow.
More drama was added to the chase with chants of “Babar Babar” all over the place. Wasim hit a six and a four in the last two balls and took his team to the playoffs and silenced the crowd.
Watch: Imad Wasim wins the match for Islamabad United in PSL 2024
6⃣+4⃣
Imad Wasim’s cool as ice for an incredible chase 😎#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #IUvMS pic.twitter.com/NGLt5UB5nR
— Pakistan Super League (@thePSLt20) March 10, 2024
The crowd chanted “Babar Babar” at him, and Imad Wasim responded with a match-winning 30* off just 13 balls. This is an experience for you ❤️❤️ #HBLPSL9 #lost #HojaoAdFree pic.twitter.com/33oKdt3Orr
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 10, 2024
What a beautiful sound to hear Babar Babar chants every time Imad comes to bat or bowl 🥱pic.twitter.com/OooxtOpQ5X
—Ajab Niazi (@niazi_54) March 10, 2024
Early in the match, Islamabad United won the toss and opted to bowl first. Multan Sultans hit a huge total of 228/4 with a century from Usman Khan. This was his second ton in this PSL season and the third in his PSL career overall. All the Multan batsmen got runs and finally got the mammoth total.
Islamabad United set themselves up in the chase thanks to a 40-ball 84 from Colin Munro. Captain Shadab Khan scored 54. The lower order of Haider Ali (19) and Faheem Ashraf (23) kept the team in the hunt and the match was over. by Imad’s supreme coup.
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Three teams have now qualified for the playoffs: Multan Sultans, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, with the fight for fourth place between Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings. Lahore Qalandars, the defending champions, have already been eliminated from the tournament.
“Last year against the same player we couldn’t finish it. I had to keep my nerve and trust the process. We had the belief. The way Shadab and Munro played was fantastic. The partnership between Faheem and I was the icing on the cake. Credit to Munro and Shadab. It was a typical Pindi wicket.
“222 was on par and not above average and that’s what we wanted. She was hitting the nets very well. Doing this at a crucial stage feels amazing. Usman Khan’s innings were incredible, as was Munro’s. But Munro’s intensity was astonishing, one of the best at hitting the ball. Confidence has increased, we can chase anything, we can publish anything. The belief is greater now. “You never know in the playoffs.” said Imad Wasim after his fiery innings.
Shadab Khan congratulated the players on the great victory that now secures the team a place in the standings. He said his players were winners and the way they finished the game was a good sign for the team.
“The way we support the players, we know they are match winners and they showed it. It was a proper Pindi speech. We haven’t been able to finish the games, but the way we finished today is a good sign. Munro couldn’t perform well at first, but we wanted to back him up. We will try to give him milk and turmeric powder to get him fit (joking about Munro).” Shadab said.
The last two league matches remain in PSL 2024, after which the playoffs will be played from March 14 to 18.
Also Read: Usman Khan surpasses Babar Azam to top PSL elite list