KARACHI – Islamabad United dominated with the bat and ball as they defeateddefending champions Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets on Sunday to lift thetrophy of the third edition of the Pakistan Super League.

The highlight of the match was United opener Luke Ronchi’s rapid 52 of 26deliveries, making Zalmi’s fighting total off 148 runs look relatively easy.

Peshawar pacers appeared to have brought their team back into the game inthe late over as Islamabad wickets fell in quick succession, but some latehitting by Asif Ali helped United make it over the finishing line for thesecond time in the history of the tournament.

In the middle of the game Peshawar pacers brought their team back into thegame after opener Luke Ronchi’s rapid half-century helped Islamabad closein on a 149-run target in the final match of the Pakistan Super League 2018at the National Stadium in Karachi.

United opener Ronchi fired all cannons as he scored 52 of 26 deliveries,making Zalmi’s fighting total of 148 runs look relatively easy. But wicketsin quick succession by the Zalmi bowlers brought the defending championsback into the game.

Ronchi was dismissed by Chris Jordan in the ninth over, while SahibzadaFarhan scored 44 before being sent back to the pavilion by Wahab Riaz.

Late blitz by fast bowler Wahab Riaz lifted Peshawar Zalmi to a fightingtotal of 148 runs against Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super Leaguefinal.

The tailender offered resistance to the JP Duminy-led team with his 28-runsoff 14 balls innings, in which he scored four boundaries and one six togive a margin to the ‘Men in Yellow’ bowlers.