PSL Final 2019: Quetta Gladiators clinch maiden PSL title

Rookie paceman Mohammad Hussnain grabbed three crucial wickets while opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a brilliant half century to steer Quetta Gladiators to their maiden HBL PSL title by beating Peshawar Zalmi in the final by eight wickets in Karachi on Sunday.

Hussnain's 3-30 in four overs kept Peshawar down to 138-8 in 20 overs before Shehzad's 51-ball 58 not out with six boundaries and a six helped Quetta to overhaul the modest target in 17.5 overs much to the joy of a packed 32,000 National stadium.

Shehzad made sure Quetta did not lose track after losing their prolific opener Shane Watson for just seven in the third over with the total at 19. Shehzad added 47 for the second wicket with Ahsan Ali who made 18-ball 25 with a six and three boundaries.

Shehzad then led his team towards the target with another solid unbroken stand of 73 with Rilee Rossouw who made 39 not out off 32 balls with five boundaries.

Rossouw hit the winning single as title deprived Quetta players raced to the pitch to congratulate the unbeaten batsmen and hugged each other. Once the celebrations slowed down the stadium was lit up with a eye-catching firework.

Quetta had lost the 2016 final to Islamabad and another final to Peshawar a year later.

Hussnain was delighted at being man of the match.

"I am thankful to Almighty a chance to play the final and then be man of the match," said Hussnain, who is also in Pakistan's squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia starting on Friday.

"I got enormous support from the whole Quetta camp and everyone helped me achieve this much in the HBL PSL."

Winning skipper Sarfraz Ahmed

"Thanks Almighty for giving us this honour," said Sarfraz. "I am grateful to the crowd for coming here and support us.

Peshawar skipper Sammy admitted his team did not put up a fighting total.

"Yes, we did not score big runs," said Sammy. "Congrats to Quetta. Today they proved why they beat us in all matches this season but we are still proud that we came this far in this tournament and hard luck to us."

Peshawar's innings could not set out as intended, with Imam-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal parted at the score of four. Imam miscued a lofted shot of Sohail Tanvir and was caught by Ahmed Shehzad for three.

Kamran, who with Imam had put 135 in the win over Islamabad in the second qualifier on Friday, cracked three boundaries and a six but was bowled off spinner Mohammad Nawaz as he failed to connect a shot after jumping out of his crease.

Sohaib Maqsood, who scored run-a-ball 20 with three boundaries, added 31 for the third wicket with Umar but the scored at slow pace which allowed Quetta bowlers to attack.

Maqsood was dismissed by Dwayne Bravo while Amin holed out of Hussnain.

Peshawar had expected Kieron Pollard to add some fire to the batting but he too fell to Hussnain, caught behind for seven while Darren Sammy scored 18 with two boundaries. Dwayne Bravo finished with 2-24.

Sarfraz received the glittering Swarovski crystal trophy from President Arif Alvi along with a prize money of half million US dollars while Peshawar received 200,00 dollars.

Player of the Match

Muhammad Hasnain clinched the player of the match award with his blistering bowling performance as took three wickets for 30 runs.

Sharing his words   after taking man of the match trophy, Hasnain , who has been selected in Pakistan National team, said that  he would also give his  best   against Australia. Hasnain dedicated his  title to his parents.

Player of the Tournament

Shane Watson, the highest run-maker in the PSL 2019 , was declared player of the tournament as no batsman could reach his runs tally. 

Most Runs

Watson also clinched the award of the highest run-maker in the PSL 2019 as he scored 430 runs  at an average of 43.00 in 12 matches.  He has been the only batsman to reach the 400-run mark in the tournament. He has made three fifties with 91 not out being the highest score.

Most Wickets

 Medium-fast bowler Hasan Ali of Peshawar Zalmi, has won the title of the highest wicket-taker of the Pakistan Super League - 2019, as he  has captured 25 wickets at an average of 13.64 in 13 matches. He grabbed four wickets in an innings on three occasions which is also the most by any bowler in the tournament. His best bowling was four for 15, which he performed twice.

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End of Live updates

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Fact: One of the key reasons for Quetta Gladiators' consistency this season has been their form in the powerplay. In PSL 2019, they've scored at 8.77 RPO in the opening phase, the highest among all teams. Despite losing Watson early, they scored 57/1 in the first 6 overs today.

11: 30pm

Ahmed Shehzad  completed his magnificent fifty off 46 balls in the 16th over with the help of 6 fours and one  six , steering  Quetta Gladiators to  victory over Peshawar Zalmi in the final of PSL 2019.

10:30pm

ICC CEO Dave Richardson: Pakistanis have been good example to everyone, to the world. Hopefully they’ll keep it up that’s off the field and on the field.

09:45pm

Commenting on the Zalmi innings, Aamer Sohail said Quetta Gladiators stuck to their plan and Safaraz Ahmed skilled fully used his bowlers and didn't allow Darren Sammy and Keiron Pollard to score freely.

09:20pm

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said next time PSL matches will also be played in Waziristan, Azad Kashmir and Khyber areas. I have talked to PCB Chairman and he is committed to bring the whole PSL in Pakistan next year, he said.

08:29pm

President Arif Alvi has arrived at the NSK to watch the final match.

07:59pm

07:51pm

Sahir Ali Bagga now singing the national song.

07:48pm

07:30pm

Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and elected to bowl first in front of a pack stadium. Sarfraz thanked the crowd for coming in great numbers to show their love for the cricket.

Darren Sammy: “We need to play our best game today and anything above 180 will be fighting score. Zalmi will be banking on Pollard and myself to finish the innings.”

Both the teams are playing with the same unit that played the last match.

07:15pm

Before the match starts Australian master blaster Shane Watson spoke highly of Pakistan’s hospitality during his short stay here. When Allan Wilkins asked to comment on the crowds in Karachi, Shane Watson said it’s been amazing and it is ecstatic to be playing in the front of such an incredible crowd.

07:10pm

Peshawar Zalmi's Hasan Ali refused to divulge what he has planned to remove Shane Watson and Umar Akmal, who are in explosive form. Talking to host Fakhre Alam, the highest wicket-taker of the PSL admitted pressure of a big final  on the players. 

Closing ceremony concludes

The glitzy and glittering, star-studded  closing ceremony concluded with the entire stadium chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad'. The transmission will return with the pitch reports, predictions and the toss as the final face-off between  Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi comes close. 

"Whoever wins, just remember the victory is of Pakistan", he states. 

Fakhre Alam gives a round of applause to all the overseas players and staff that came to Pakistan to make this tournament successful. 

Pakistan flags wavering all around the arena as Karachiites are  ecstatic to have cricket back home. 

The stadium is now echoing with 'Jazba Junoon' as the band continues to rock.

The crowd's spirits are uplifted as the group sings 'Dil Dil Pakistan' unleashing a wave of excitement among spectators. 

The rock band is now singing their legendary song 'Sayonee.'

Pakistan Naval Chief Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is spotted enjoying as Junoon rocks the stage. 

Ali Azmat, Brian O'Connell and Salman Ahmed energize the spectators with their next song,  'Khudi'.

Junoon starts off with the song 'Zamane K Andaz' as the audience grooves over the classic tune .

Fakhre Alam now brings on stage the legendary Pakistani sufi-rock band Junoon. 

"Thank you Pakistan for this amazing welcome. People are every friendly. Before people only liked cricket but now I saw that people like football as well," he stated before getting off the stage. 

"Salam Pakistan," Puyal, thanking the public for they welcome and urging fans to  buy tickets.

Fawad Khan goes on to invite co-stars from his upcoming film Maula Jutt as well as world-famous footballer Carles Puyal from Barcelona football league urging public to give him a 'big Pakistani welcome'.

He thanks PSL and the public for making the tournament a massive success and being a fantastic audience.  

Young Desi joins Fawad adding hype to the performance / 

Khan is dressed in black paired with a floral printed jacket and shades. 

He sings the anthem while roving about the stadium, while fans shake a leg over the catchy tune. 

The acclaimed singer takes the stage to sing the anthem that has been echoing the country since the start of the tournament, uplifting and rejuvenating the cricket fans.

Fawad Khan is now getting introduced on to the stage to perform the PSL 2019 anthem. 

Baig, accompanied by Shuja Haider is now singing a medley of Disco Deewane with a twist.

Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrives at the  national Stadium while Aima Baig energizes the audience. 

Aima Baig pays accolades to Nazia Hasan  singing her iconic song 'Dosti.'

Fakhre Alam welcomes Aima Baig on to the stage.

The singer thanks the government and the forces and congratulates the public for the new wave of peace that has enveloped the country.  He urges the public to pray for his hospital Sahara that will be turning into a cancer hospital. 

The singer gets off the stage and takes a round of the stadium   singing the song. 

Abrar-ul-Haq takes the stage singing his famous song 'Nach  Punjaban.' The National Stadium filled with cricket enthusiasts and dynamic spectators, swoons over the iconic singer's grooves. 

He ends his address by chanting patriotic slogans for Pakistan uplifting the crowd. 

The CM goes on to congratulate and express gratitude to the armed forces for making this a possibility. He hopes for international cricket to come back to Pakistan. He  thanks the overseas players for coming to Pakistan and hopes that they enjoyed their stay here. 

"We have done it! Two years ago on this ground, over here I avowed to bring Karachi back to Pakistan. Last year we brought the final here and this time we had all of Pakistan leg's matches in Karachi. This victory is for Karachi's public," Murad Ali Shah says energizing the crowd. 

CM Sindh address the public paying accolades to the victims of the Christchurch massacre.

"You have seen for yourself the passion for cricket in Pakistan. Next year we will be ready to welcome you for all the matches in Pakistan."

He further lauds both the teams that will lock horn in a while: "I want to commend the people of Karachi for supporting PSL 2019"

He goes on to thank the Prime Minister and the government of Sindh to make the event possible and successful. 

"I am grateful to the IG Police, CM Sindh, Karachi Police, DG Rangers, Home Secretary SIndh, organizing committee chairman"

Ehsan Maani address the public: "Today Pakistan especially for Karachi it is a historic day as we are ready to host the final of PSL. The stadium is filled with more than 28,000 and has seen more than 200,000 thousand specators throughout the leg. "

The host goes on to give a warm welcome to chairman PCB Ehsan Mani and CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah to the final PSL 4 match at National Stadium in Karachi.

The ceremony is attended by Sheikh Rashid, CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah and many other bigwigs from all walks of life. 

The stadium filled with cricket fans observe a minute of silence for the victims of the massacre in New Zealand. 

He announces and requests Pakistanis to stand up from their seats to mark a minute of silence for the victims of the mosque terror attacks in New Zealand.

Fakhre Alam, host for the evening  welcomes the public to the closing ceremony of PSL 4 by delivering PM Imran Khan's message of deliering solidarity with New Zealand's Christchurch victims.

Karachi’s National Stadium is the place to be for cricket entertainment today as the two best and most popular teams – Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi – clash in the sell-out final of the HBL Pakistan Super League final.

Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators: Match Preview

All roads will lead to the stadium as fans are expected to start arriving well before 6pm when the closing ceremony will start before the first ball is bowled at 8pm. Those who fail to get a ticket will regret missing the electric atmosphere, with a star-studded closing ceremony in the lead up to the highly charged final.

Star-studded artist line-up for closing ceremony

When action will begin, both the teams will have support as they are equally popular among the crowd. While Peshawar’s yellow dominates the stands to create a “yellow storm”, Quetta's purple is bright and attracts its fans.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed are likely to visit Karachi today to watch the final match, sources have confirmed.

05:25pm

Sheikh Rashid has arrived at the National Stadium. Talking to media persons outside stadium, the minister clarified his statement about PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. 

05:00pm

German Envoy to Pakistan, Martin Kobler, tweeted a poll asking his followers which team should he support?

04:30pm

Spectators  arriving in great numbers to watch the teams play for the PSL glory.

03:58pm

Turkish Ambassador in İslamabad, Mustafa Yurdakul, supports Peshawar Zalmi to win the final.

02:54pm

Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid will also watch the final match at the stadium.

12:40pm

Chairman Pakistan Peoples' Party Bilawal Bhutto will come to NSK to watch the PSL Final today, Geo News reported.

12:39pm

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah visited National Stadium and reviewed arrangements for the match.

12:30pm

Pakistan military spokesman releases 3rd Pakistan Day promo featuring cricketers playing in PSL 2019. Good luck to teams playing PSL Final, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said.

12:00pm

Roads leading to National Stadium will be closed by 12pm.   The commuters are advised to use University Road or Shahrae Faisal.