Karachi’s National Bank Stadium is set to host the highly anticipated final of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 on 18 March 2024. The table-toppers, Multan Sultans, will face off against Islamabad United in a thrilling encounter for the prestigious Orion trophy. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 9 pm, with the toss taking place at 8:30 pm.
Multan Sultans secured their place in the final after defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier. This will be their fourth consecutive final appearance, having been crowned champions in the 2021 edition and finishing as runners-up in the subsequent two editions, where Lahore Qalandars emerged victorious.
On the other hand, Islamabad United finished third on the table and earned their spot in the final by defeating Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in the two eliminators. This final marks Islamabad United’s return to the championship match since their last victory in 2018.
Leading up to the playoffs, Multan Sultans secured 14 points with seven wins out of ten games, while Islamabad United finished with five wins and one washed-out game, accumulating 11 points, equaling Quetta Gladiators.
Players to watch out for in the final include Multan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan, who are among the tournament’s top run-getters. Islamabad’s Colin Munro and skipper Shadab Khan have also been in fine form with the bat, while Usama Mir leads the bowling charts with the most wickets in the tournament so far.
Both teams are eager to claim the title, with Islamabad United aiming for their third championship win. Captain Shadab Khan expressed pride in his team’s performance, while Multan Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan highlighted the team’s unity and determination.
The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the tournament’s top teams, and cricket fans can expect a high-octane clash for the title of HBL PSL 9 champions.
