Cricket in Karachi revived, Pakistan overjoyed

KARACHI: Karachi was the big winner as Islamabad United produced a clinical display to overcome defending champions Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets to regain the HBL Pakistan Super League crown here at a packed National Stadium on Sunday night.

The barren run of Pakistan’s biggest city, which last hosted big-time cricket nine years ago, ended with Misbah-ul-Haq’s United winning its second PSL title. A long list of VIPs led by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and many others joined the action as Karachi basked in the glory of what has been billed as Pakistan’s match of the year.

The night, meanwhile, belonged to Luke Ronchi. In the lead up to the final, all eyes were on Kamran and Ronchi, two of the leading run-scorers of PSL 3. Islamabad won that battle too as they dismissed Kamran cheaply and then applauded Ronchi’s several boundaries as the New Zealander smashed a match-winning 26-ball 52 with five sixes and four fours.

Kamran, on the other hand, crumbled when it mattered most. The man who almost single-handedly carried Zalmi into the final was completely out of sorts with the bat, making just one from nine balls. He played villain again when Zalmi returned to the field in their bid to defend 148 as he dropped a catch when his side was sneaking back into the match.

After Ronchi and fellow opener Sahibzada Farhan (44 off 33 balls) put on 96 from 8.5 overs, it seemed game over for Zalmi. But Zalmi bounced back with a vengeance as their pace quartet of Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Chris Jordan and Umaid Asif dealt Islamabad one blow after the other to take six of their wickets within a span of 23 runs and 31 balls.

At 119-6, Islamabad were suddenly struggling and couldhave been in worse shape had Kamran done his job behind the stumps. It all happened when Asif Ali top-edged Umaid and the ball went sky high. Kamran called for the catch and ran back only to miss the ball completely. To add insult to Zalmi’s injury, there were four overthrows as well, taking Islamabad to 125. In the next over, Asif hammered Hasan for three sixes, milking him for 21 runs to finish off the job. He was unbeaten with 26 from just six balls. Wahab Riaz did remove Hussain Talat but by then it was just a matter of time. Faheem Ashraf, the tournament’s highest wicket-taker finally hit a six to complete a three-wicket win for Islamabad with 19 balls to spare. The Karachi sky suddenly lit up with a stunning display of fireworks. In the bowling department, Zalmi’s biggest star turned out to be their biggest disappointment. Hasan Ali, regarded among the world’s best bowlers in limited-overs cricket, finished with 2-52, his most expensive spell in T20 cricket.

Islamabad were ecstatic after the win and took a victory lap amidst applause from the crowd. Ronchi, who was named the player of the tournament, later credited his success to a clear mind.

"You need some luck (to play well), but it's mostly about being clear in the head while batting. Nerves are always there, but you just need to grow in confidence after that, so why not try and hit it for a six?" he said.

Misbah-ul-Haq, who missed the final because of a wrist injury, hailed his youngsters. “It was pleasing for me the way our youngsters performed. At this stage you want the youngsters to be successful. It’s all about the team winning,” he said.

Earlier, Zalmi were gasping for air at 26-2 after losing two of their biggest batting stars – Kamran and Mohammad Hafeez. And it seemed that it was game over for them when their ninth wicket fell in the 18th overs with the total being just 121. But Wahab Riaz breathed life into Zalmi’s hopes with a stunning rear guard action that saw him lifting Peshawar’s total of 148-9, giving them a reasonably good chance of defending the title.

Wahab hit one six and four fours in an unbeaten 28 from 14 balls as he added 27 from 13 for the last wicket to keep Zalmi on course. Before that, Islamabad dominated the proceedings as their potent bowling attack didn’t allow any room to Peshawar’s batting line. A packed crowd of over 33,000 fans at the National Stadium was made to wait for the boundaries as Samit Patel, Mohammad Sami and Shadab Khan bowled impressive spells. Patel finished with figures of 2-26. Shadab Khan, the young spinner, returned with 3-25. Hussain Talat picked 2 for 18 while Sami finished with 1-31.

News Desk adds: The excitement in the air was palpable as the city’s residents braced for an exciting finale of the third edition of the Pakistan Super League on Sunday, which was played in Karachi’s National Stadium for the first time since the championship began.

Hundreds of spectators queued up dutifully at the designated shuttle pick-up spots throughout the day to head to the stadium to watch the finalists, the Darren Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi and the Misbahul Haq-led Islamabad United, battle it out for the trophy.

The city’s love for cricket shined through as fans braved the long walk from the shuttle drop-off sites despite the blazing sun and multiple security checks. The long lines of spectators were a myriad of colours, as fans decked up in colours of their favourite teams or the green Pakistani flag, queued up to enter the stadium at least seven hours before the start of the match. The venue was completely packed with two hours remaining in the game, Geo News reported.

“I am supporting both Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi today. I am supporting Pakistan cricket because whoever wins, it will be a victory for Pakistan cricket,” said Sadaf who arrived at the stadium some five hours ahead to grab her seat in the Zaheer Abbas enclosure.

To facilitate the fans, the local administration had arranged shuttle services to the stadium from various parking spots. The spectators had to go through security checks on at least five spots ensuring fool-proof security.

“It was a warm day, but it is okay. We had to go through security checks but it was necessary. We must cooperate with authorities. I am sure with more matches being played here, things will get smooth,” said Zahid who was sitting at the Hanif Mohammad enclosure.

Shahid Akhtar Hashmi, a journalist who reports for the news agency AFP, said that the match was very memorable for him, not just as a journalist but also as a father. “I covered the last match here nine years ago. My kids grew up without watching any game here and today they are here in the stands and enjoying every bit of the match,” said Hashmi.

An enthralling final ceremony greeted spectators at the stadium before the match began at 8pm. In his opening remarks, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi welcomed the spectators at the ceremony and expressed his gratitude to the security forces for providing top-notch security for the event.

The PCB chairman requested fans to show the same passion in the series against West Indies, to be played a week later at the same ground. The country’s leading musicians including Ali Zafar, Shehzad Roy, Faisal Kapadia and Aima Baig then took the stage and performed to wild applause from the audience.

Moreover, for those who were not lucky enough to be able to secure seats for the much-anticipated match, the city offered several alternatives as large screens were played in various malls, educational institutes and cultural centres welcoming cricket lovers to watch the match there with their friends and families.

The match was screened live at the open air theatre of the Arts Council, in Port Grand, Infinitea, The Grid, Wired Inn, Burridos, University of Karachi, IBA Amir Chinoy Amphitheatre, Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad, Hussainabad, Liaqauatabad No 4, Sindhi Hotel in New Karachi and several other establishments.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who along with Governor Mohammad Zubair and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other dignitaries, enjoyed the match from the VIP Enclosure at night, monitored the preparations at the stadium earlier in the day.

In a final visit to the National Stadium from a helicopter, the CM inspected its parking and entry/exit routes and directed the local authorities to ensure they leave no stone unturned in facilitating the spectators.

According to a spokesperson, Shah left for the inspection in the helicopter from the Commerce College. Several roads leading up to the stadium had been closed off for security reasons, as per the traffic plan that was issued earlier this week.

Over 8,000 cops, including 800 Special Security Unit (SSU) commandoes, and personnel from other law-enforcement agencies performed duties at designated places in the city including the stadium, Karachi airport, important routes, parking lots, hotels and other places. Sharp shooters were also deployed at different places.

SSU chied Maqsood Memon had told a media briefing on Saturday it was a matter of great pleasure that international players were coming to Karachi after a long time and the field of sports was being revived. “All of us have to work together to prove that life has been restored and Karachi is a peaceful city.”

Memon said all departments had worked day and night to organise this mega event, for which no previous example existed. The mega event could not have been organised successfully without the cooperation of the media and the public.