Martin Guptill in 2022.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Former Black Cap Martin Guptill has helped guide Islamabad United to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, becoming the first team to claim three PSL championships.
Chasing 160, Guptill made 50 off only 32 balls, plundered eight boundaries and three sixes, to put Islamabad in control – but was run out, giving opponents Multan hope,
Islamabad needed eight from the final over, and Naseem Shah hit a four to leave three required off four balls.
Naseem was out off the penultimate ball with the scores level, leaving his brother Hunain to hit the winning run.
Multan scored 159-9, with Usman Khan making 57 and Islamabad spinner Imad Wasim taking 5-23.
Islamabad’s third title puts them one ahead of the Lahore Qalandars, while Multan have now lost three consecutive finals since their only triumph in 2021.
Former England World Cup-winning spinner Alex Hartley was a part of Multan’s coaching team, alongside ex-Ireland international Cath Dalton, the first woman to be a fast bowling coach in a professional men’s team.
– BBC/RNZ