PSL 2024, Final: Islamabad United Match vs Multan Sultans Preview

The ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL 2024) is set to conclude on Monday, March 18 with a summit clash featuring Multan Sultans and Islamabad United at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Multan have been a force to reckon with in the tournament. They won seven and lost three out of their 10 league games in PSL 2024. In the Qualifier, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side chased down a target of 147 runs against Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi with seven wickets and nine balls to spare to book their tickets to the final. Last year, they lost to Lahore Qalandars in the final by a solitary run. This time, they would be hoping to go the distance.

Skipper Rizwan has led Multan from the front in the tournament, having amassed 381 runs in 11 matches at an average of 34.64 and a strike rate of 124.10. The wicketkeeper-batter has registered four fifties so far in the campaign. He is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament after Babar Azam. He got out cheaply in the Qualifier but Multan fans will hope that the veteran rises to the big occasion in the title decider and helps them clinch the trophy for the second time.

Click Here: Most Runs in PSL 2024

The bowling department has also been on fire for Multan. The top two wicket-takers in the tournament are from Rizwan's side. While Usama Mir is the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets from 11 games, Mohammad Ali is second on the list, having five wickets fewer after playing the same number of matches.

Islamabad United finished third on the points table after winning five matches and losing four. One of their games ended with a no result. In Eliminator 1, Islamabad defeated Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs after setting a target of 175. In Eliminator 2, they chased down 186 runs against Peshawar with five wickets and an over to spare.

Islamabad captain Shadab Khan has had a fine tournament as an all-rounder. With the bat, he has scored 301 runs from 11 matches at an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 146.11. Meanwhile, he has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 31.27 with the ball. Agha Salman has also been among the runs for Islamabad. The right-handed batter has scored 300 runs in 11 matches at an average of 33.33 and a strike rate of 142. 85.

On the bowling front, Naseem Shah leads the pack with 15 wickets from 10 matches at an average of 20.53 and a strike rate of 16. His economy rate of 7.70 is also quite impressive because he bowls in the powerplay and also at the death.

These two teams have faced each other twice this season. Multan won the first clash at home by five wickets, chasing a target of 145 runs. However, the second encounter between these two sides turned out to be a pulsating clash as Islamabad won by three wickets off the last ball, chasing 229 runs. Imad Wasim hit a six and a four off the last couple of deliveries to take them home.

Also Read: PSL 2024: Abrar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel fined for breaching code of conduct

National Stadium Pitch Report:

10 games have been played so far at the National Stadium in Karachi. The highest first-innings score is 189. Meanwhile, the average first-innings score is 170. Chasing teams have won six matches, while teams batting first have won four. Pressure will be high in a final and the captain who wins the toss could opt to bat first and put on a big total and exert scoreboard pressure on their opponents in the second innings. However, no total could be considered safe as Islamabad chased down an 186-run target with consummate ease in their last game.

Probable Playing XI

Multan Sultans:

In the Qualifier, Khushdil Shah was brought into the playing XI in place of Tayyab Tahir. However, the former wasn't required with the bat. However, he did bowl a couple of overs inside the powerplay with the new ball but conceded 19 runs. Multan might not look to tinker with their line-up in the final.

Predicted XI: Yasir Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Usman Khan, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali

Islamabad United:

The in-form Colin Munro has missed the last couple of games due to a hamstring injury. If he returns to the side, it will bolster Islamabad's batting department. However, Martin Guptill has done well in the absence of Munro.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Alex Hales, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Obed McCoy

MUL vs ISL Head-to-Head Record