Islamabad United have won the first edition of Pakistan Super League by defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final match. United beat Gladiators by 6 wickets to become first ever champion of PSLT20 league. West Indies’ star opener Dwayne Smith scored 73 runs to guide Islamabad United towards the chase of 175 runs target in the pressure match.

Dwayne Smith made 73 runs in PSL 2016 final.
Dwayne Smith made 73 runs in PSL 2016 final.

Winning the toss in this crucial PSL final, Islamabad captain Misbah-ul-haq asked Quetta to bat. Gladiators got very bad start in the match and lost two wickets on 33 in just first six overs of the match. Opener Ahmed Shehzad and Sri Lanka’s legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara built a solid partnership to lead team towards big total. Both players added 87 runs for the third wicket partnership.

Shehzad and Sangakkara scored their respective fifties to help Quetta Gladiators put 174 runs big target in this pressure situation game. Andre Russell was the most successful bowler for Islamabad United as he took 3 wickets in Quetta innings whereas Mohammad Irfan dismissed two batsmen in PSL 2016 final.

Islamabad United for terrific start in the run chase and openers Dwayne Smith and Sharjeel Khan put 50 plus runs in the first 6 overs of the innings. Sharjeel was dismissed by Nathan McCullum in the sixth over. After this Brad Haddin and Smith played brilliant knocks and took team towards the close to the target. Both added 85 runs for second wicket partnership. Babar dismissed Smith in the 16th over when United’s score was 139.

It was quite late for Gladiators now and Islamabad United successfully chased the target to win the first edition of Pakistan Super League. Dwayne Smith was awarded man of the match for his brilliant match winning 73 runs in 51 balls.

Match Summary

Toss: Islamabad United won toss and chose to field

Quetta Gladiators: 174/7 in 20 overs. (Shehzad 64, Sangakkara 55)

Islamabad United: 175/4 in 18.4 overs. (Dwayne Smith 73, Brad Haddin 61*)

Result: Islamabad United won by 6 wickets

Man of the match: Dwayne Smith (Islamabad United)

Man of the series: Ravi Bopara

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