KARACHI: Luke Ronchi v Kamran Akmal was billed as the deciding minimatch-up in the PSL final. Kamran failed, but Ronchi continued showing thedazzling form that will be the trademark of this year’s PSL. His 26-ball 52helping Islamabad United steer ahead and then overcome a proper collapse totheir second title in three years.

Islamabad looked like romping home when Ronchi and Sahibzada Farhan put on96 for the opening partnership in under nine overs, in chase of 155. But anextraordinary collapse resulted in them losing six for 20. All of a sudden,scoring a run became a gigantic task.

Then, a moment that will live in Kamran’s memory as a bitter rejoinder to amemorable PSL came when Asif Ali attempted an audacious – and immeasurablydaft – pull shot off Umaid Asif with Islamabad needing 30 off 33 balls.Kamran raced almost towards fine leg in a desperate attempt to snare acatch he would have done better leaving to the outfielder. He misjudged itand let it through his gloves. Then Sameen Gul picked up the ball and threwit at the stumps, only to miss and concede four overthrows.

That sudden reprieve and the six runs to boot, released the tension in thewarm Karachi air, and Peshawar were suddenly deflated again. Asif Alismashed three sixes on the trot off Hasan Ali, while Faheem Ashraf hookedWahab Riaz for six with just one required. Eventually Islamabad completed awin that – but for a chaotic 31 balls – had never appeared in any doubt.