Karachi March 25: As top quality cricket made a return to Karachi after nine long years, the Islamabad United took centre stage defeating reigning champions Peshawar Zalmi in a thrilling finale to lift the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) trophy for the second time in three years.

Karachi’s National Stadium posed the perfect picture in the biggest game of the tournament as Zalmi’s captain Daren Sammy opted to bat first after winning the toss.

Zalmi’s hopes of a winning total on a perfect batting pitch were dashed early as prolific run-getter Kamran Akmal fell lbw to Samit Patel for one.

Zalmi also lost Mohammad Hafeez cheaply while Andre Fletcher who had hit some big boundaires early on was dismissed as he looked set to post a big score.

The Zalmi middle and lower order failed to make most of the conditions and only a 28 run unbeaten cameo by Wahab Riaz took them to a 148 for nine total in the allotted 20 overs.

The Peshawar side had defended the same score in the HBL PSL 2017 final against Quetta Gladiators.

Zalmi were than in for a rude shock as United openers Luke Ronchi and Sahibzada Farhan tore into the bowling line up with a series of breathtaking shots early on in the chase.

Ronchi who was named Man-of-the-Tournament for his outstanding run in the HBL PSL 2018 which saw him top the run-getters list, blazed away to his 50.

His 96 run opening partnership with Farhan ended when Ronchi was taken at point by Fletcher.

The dismissal triggered a sensational collapse as United lost six wickets for the addition of 20 runs in a space of 44 balls.

The match turning moment was the reprive Asif Ali got as he attempted a hoic across the line and Kamran dropped a tough steepling chance while running some 40 meters towards the fine-leg boundary, as the ball was dropped the return from Sameen Gul went to the boundary due to poor backing by Sammy.

United needed 33 runs at that stage.

Zalmi never recovered from the jolt and their reign as PSL champions all but ended when Asif hit Hasan Ali for three sixes in one over.

The game was settled a few balls later despite the loss of the seventh wicket as jubilant United fans ran on to the pitch to celebrate a historic victory in a memorable night for Karachi fans.