PSL Finale: Quetta Finally Made into List of Champions of PSL
Pakistan super league final held on March 17, 2019, was played between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in National Stadium, Karachi. The match was a replay of last year’s final where the same teams went head on head to win the glorious trophy.
The event started with a star-studded closing ceremony in which the host announced and requested Pakistanis to stand up from their seats to mark a minute of silence for the victims of the mosque terror attacks in New Zealand. Abrar ul Haq boosted the team’s morale through his songs. Then came Aima Baig with her performance of Disco Dewane and Dosti.
The Whole Nation’s sensation Fawad Khan has also performed PSL anthem “Khel Deewano Ka”. Barcelona Football Legend Carles Puyol gets a rousing welcome on his arrival to the closing ceremony by cheering nation.
Quetta Gladiators won the toss and decided to field first against Peshawar Zalmi. Well, the decision was good.
The first innings started with openers Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq. Quetta’s Sohail Tanvir gave a nice start by just giving two singles in first over. Second over and Mohammad Hasnain got Imam caught. Kamran Akmal remained steady, shot a four succeeded by a sixer in 4th over. Kamran Akmal got caught in 5th over. Peshawar was in deep trouble with just five overs remaining and scoring mere 96 runs. Tanvir uses all his experience to bowl a really tight over to Sammy and Pollard. Mohammad Hasnain dismisses Pollard. The not-so-good innings got Peshawar Zalmi to register a total of 138-8.
The second innings started by the openers Ahmed Shehzad and Shane Watson. The match got a twist with Shane Watson being out in just third over making only 7 overs. Ahmed Shehzad remains consistent and completed his half-century off 46 balls in the 16th over with 6 fours and one six. Nabi Gul to Rossouw, 1 run, full on the stumps, driven to long-off and Quetta Gladiators have won PSL 2019. Their first time ever lifting the trophy and the entire team run onto the field, even as Rossouw pumps his fist at hitting the winning runs and Shehzad celebrates. The much awaited and most deserved victory to Quetta Gladiators.
Muhammad Husnain clinched the Player of The Match Award with his blistering bowling performance as took three wickets for 30 runs.
Shane Watson wins the Man of the Series award.
Shane Watson is the Best Batsman of the Tournament.
Hasan Ali is the Best Bowler of the Tournament.
Umer Khan is the Emerging Player of the Tournament.
Daren Sammy, the losing captain saying: “We didn’t do enough with the bat. They were the team to beat in the tournament, and they proved why today. But we’re still proud to make three consecutive PSL finals. We’ve played a brand of cricket that we should be proud of.”
On the other hand, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the winning captain said: “First, I want to thank Allah, my voice is broken because we’ve been celebrating so much. Credit goes to the team management, and to the crowd. The way they’ve responded to the support for both teams was excellent. Then the Rangers, Police, PCB they’ve all worked hard to make this tournament possible in Pakistan.”
The President of Pakistan awarded Swarovski products to winning team members and finally the grand trophy of PSL 2019 along with the title of PSL CHAMPIONS 2019. And this culminates one more successful version of PSL. Hope we see Lahore Qalandars winning one day!