Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United, Final - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Islamabad had left it right until the final ball of their final league match against Multan Sultans to seal their entry into the playoffs. Imad Wasim was the man for them on that occasion. Today again they left it till the last ball against the same opponents with Imad playing a crucial role to get them over the line. How good has he been with both bat and ball in these crunch games. This is Islamabad's third title win, while it's a third consecutive loss in a PSL final for Multan. So that's all from us here. Has been a lot of fun bringing you all the action from PSL 2024. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. It's goodbye from Sagar Chawla on behalf of Venky, Kumar Abisekh Das and Saurabh Shankar!

Islamabad players run out of patience and call Shadab to lift the trophy in the middle of his interview. They've waited six years, but not anymore. Shadab lifts the trophy and the fireworks go off again. Now the players are taking turns with the trophy lifting. These celebrations will go long into the night after what has been a well earned win.

Shadab, Islamabad captain: Felt that the more time I had, could utilise it better with bat. At number 6-7, I don't have the power game. Have tried to fix my technical issues as a bowler. That's a long process, and the improvements will come. Watching the match is tough for me. In the middle I don't feel pressure, but watching it from outside is tough. I make life difficult for people next to me as well, so I don't sit with batters who are supposed to walk in next. Special mention to the owners who have backed me. I was captain for five years and we didn't reach final, but they backed me. Lot of things I feel that make this trophy very important for us.

Rizwan, Multan captain: When a match goes to last ball, you can't see your weakness. The way Faisal Akram bowled (in earlier games), he can go a long way. When you have the momentum, you want to keep playing matches. I myself use things like strategic timeout to break the momentum. Could've batted better myself. Congrats to Islamabad United.

Shadab Khan gets the Player of the tournament award for a brilliant allround show. He picked up 14 wickets, and scored 305 runs

Usama Mir finishes as the leading wicket-taker of the season, and Babar Azam leading run-scorer of the season. Usman Khan is named Batter of the tournament, Usama Mir is Bowler of the tournament, Saim Ayub - allrounder of the tournament, and Azam Khan is keeper of the tournament.

Imad Wasim, POTM: Didn't know that it would go on to be the best ever tournament. Just wanted to have an impact in the team's win. It was a new experience - taking five wickets in the final. Took lesson that we should've finished it one over earlier. I'm happy playing cricket. Trying my utmost to contribute for the team. 4-5 years of cricket left in me.

We're waiting for the presentations.

Tymal Mills: Most games have gone down to the wire. Brilliant game in front of a packed house. We wanted to peak at the very end. Often it doesn't happen. But it did for us. We have showed a lot of character in the last 7-10 days. It means a lot to our players. Some of them have a long affinity with the team. Hunain has had a tough tournament. But the winning moment will stick with him. Good to see a young guy finishing it off.

Azam Khan: I’m over the moon. When I was with Quetta, I only got one match. But the past 3 years, Islamabad has backed me so much and I’m glad to lift the trophy with them. I knew that I was out in the middle, I can shift the momentum to our side. If I stayed till the end, I’m sure I’d have got the equation to run a ball. Disappointed I couldn’t finish the game. I’ve been playing with Shadab for three years now, he’s a great leader and our goal collectively has always been to get to a final and win.

Mike Hesson: Went down to the wire. Fantastic game between the two best teams. We got ahead, they fought back and vice versa. Full house as well. What more would you want. The game doesn't go your way always. So many heroes tonight. Naseem was good with the ball. It was never going to be easy but we thought we were always ahead by a little margin. Was about getting bat on ball. Sometimes nerves can get the better of you. But Hunain can bat.

Hunain Shah: (on winning run) I had the belief, was waiting for the opportunity to do something for the team. I hadn’t done much with the bat so far, but I was waiting for such a moment. I had the belief to win this. I just wanted to get ball to bat, and leave the rest to God. Feeling really happy, not able to honestly control my emotions.

Martin Guptill: When it gets that close, was great for the fans to enjoy. Really enjoyed it. Was tough going to start off. Were only one partnership away to take it away from them. But they bowled well. Munro was standing there and hitting it. Was a simple game plan for him.

Naseem Shah: Feeling really good. Last ball finishes are always entertaining, loved the way the crowd supported us. I try to contribute with the bat as well, practice on my batting, particularly six hitting. Imad just told me to keep the belief and take it till the end.

Many heroes in Islamabad's title-winning campaign, but the one who has stood out in these crunch games is Imad Wasim. He was Player of the Match in Eliminator 2 where he made a nerveless fifty after walking into bat in trying circumstances. And today he stood up again, mainly with ball to pick up a five-for which took the steam out of Multan's innings. If not for Iftikhar Ahmed's late onslaught, this could've been a one-sided cruise for Islamabad. It wasn't to be as Multan fought hard right till the end. Iftikhar had a great evening with ball as well, as did Khushdil, and Islamabad were made to sweat right until the final ball. But their batting depth came in handy once again.

00:59 Local Time, 19:59 GMT, 01:29 IST: Wild celebrations in the middle as Islamabad players come charging out to celebrate with the two batters who finished it off. Fireworks go off in the sky. Spare a thought for Multan who've lost their third straight final in a row. They were table toppers with 7 wins in 10 matches, won the Qualifier with ease, but have fallen short of the final hurdle again. But on the other hand there's Islamabad, who've won the title again after six years. Three times they've been in the final since 2016, and have won it all three times. The joy, the emotion is getting the better of some of the players. Is it Naseem or Hunain, can't really figure out, but he has broken into tears and his teammates gather around him. Meanwhile, there are plenty of players interviews happening. We'll get them up shortly.

Mohammad Ali to Hunain Shah, FOUR, oh this is a gentle slower ball, and Hunain steers it past short third, leading Islamabad to their third PSL title! And they're charging onto the ground from the dugout. What a game we've had here in Karachi with Shadab's men coming out on top off the final ball. Strange option from Ali to go for the slower ball. He's on his haunches in disappointment

Hunain Shah, right handed bat, comes to the crease

So it's one needed off one. What does Ali bowl? Can't bowl the bouncer again, that option has expired. Yorker at the stumps then?

Mohammad Ali to Naseem Shah, out Caught by Rizwan!! Oh you're kidding me. Multan refuse to lie down, and they've taken it to the last ball. Banged in short, good height on it, and takes Naseem by surprise. He looks to pull but all he manages is a faint edge to the keeper. Naseem is checking with the umpire whether it was too high. How could it be, he has got bat on it. Naseem Shah c Rizwan b Mohammad Ali 17(9) [4s-2 6s-1]