Babar Azam's fluent fifty guides Karachi Kings to maiden PSL title
Captain Imad Wasim hits winning runs as Karachi cruise home in run chase
Captain Imad Wasim hits winning runs as Karachi cruise home in run chase
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Danyal Rasool
That's it, then, from the presentations. It's been great fun, and congratulations to all Karachi Kings fans. Take care, everyone!
Imad Wasim is terribly proud of the way the bowlers executed their plans. "We knew if Babar put on a masterclass we could effectively put our feet up in the chase. Generally, when I bowl the first over, I can get a read of the wicket. Arshad Iqbal was an emerging cricketer but he played a crucial role for us today. If the fans had been around, it would have made it even sweeter.
"Dean Jones, of course, gets credit because what he taught us very few coaches in the world can. Wasim Akram, of course, deserves the trophy because he was our bowling coach, head coach, mentor and team president rolled in one. It's an honour to captain this franchise."
Babar Azam wins the Player of the Tournament award, too! "I just needed to remain cool," Babar says. "The team was depending on me and I needed not to panic. The wicket as slow and I wasn't feeling the ball on the bat very well. I feel the calmer you are, the better you perform. I just knew I had to be there at the finish, and in the end we chased it with ease."
Lahore Qalandars skipper Sohail Akhtar warmly congratulates Karachi Kings. "Getting here is a big achievement for us. We played excellent cricket, and everyone bought into the project. I think I'm very fortunate to be leading such a wonderful franchise. I'd love to thank our senior players, people like Ben Dunk and Mohammad Hafeez who supported me. The wicket was slow, and we were at least 20 runs short today."
Shaheen Shah Afridi picks up the Best Bowler cheque. Babar Azam, of course, wins the Best batsman award
Multan Sultans win the Spirit of Cricket award, while Ben Dunk scoops up the Best wicketkeeper prize, likely for that six-hitting rather than anything he might have done behind the stumps
Babar Azam is the Player of the Match for that unbeaten 63. Ramiz tells him to buzz off for now; apparently there are a number of awards coming his way shortly. Player of the Tournament set to be one of them, I'd wager
The umpires are receiving their medallions now. They'll be relieved it was an incident free final as far as they were concerned
11.50pm Sreshth has bailed, leaving a Lahore to cover what's left of this final. Presentations should follow shortly, but there were warm words for everyone who helped by PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, as well as acknowledgment and thanks to health workers, doctors and nurses in what has been, fleeting joy aside, the most wretched of years.
Syed: "Only way to dismiss Babar Azam is on a free hit ball"
11.45pm Stick around for the presentation.
Bilal Ahmed: "All the notes made by Dean Jones in his famous red notebook, finally paid off. "
Abhijato: "All in all, can't complain. An epic super over, two incredible Azam knocks, a special Afridi spell - this delayed playoffs season had everything. Kudos to PCB and players for organising a proper end of the season, cheers!"
11.40pm Wasim Akram says this win is dedicated to Dean Jones. And he says that it's the late Jones' hard work that's brought this about
Hari: "Deano would have been proud. Miss u Deano"
11.35pm The Karachi team is now doing a victory huddle. They are having a blast out there. Hugs everywhere. Remember, it's their first title in five attempts.
Affan: "You have to appreciate Babar's "slow" innings. Anyone who criticizes Babar's innings today have no idea how tough it was to bat on that pitch. "
11.32pm This one's for Dean Jones, their coach who passed away last month. Imad Wasim and Babar Azam hug, and the Karachi Kings bench goes ecstatic. For what it's worth, Dean Jones has now coached a PSL team that has won the tournament in 2016, 2018 and 2020. Karachi have done it in their home stadium. Good scenes, both teams are congratulating each other for a wonderful season.
This would've been such a close game had Babar Azam been out early, but such is his class... an excellent innings of 63 and he's anchored Karachi Kings home. Wasim Akram, the stand-in Karachi coach, is all smiles too.
Dr Adnan: "Wasim Akram bowling coach of KKR:: Won 2 IPL. With Islamabad United :: Won PSL. With Karachi Kings :: Won PSL. The man has a nack for trophies"
husnain: "A Lahori just denied Lahore the trophy."
Aamir Hussain: "No six in complete low target inning, WTH."
Asad: "East and West baber azam is the best!"
Ameer Hamza: "The only difference between Lahore and Karachi on this pitch is Babar Azam inning."
The coach, though, is pleased with the progress of local players like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf
Captain Imad Wasim hits winning runs as Karachi cruise home in run chase
Captain pays late coach tribute and thanks Wasim Akram for roles in side's success
Karachi's process vs Lahore's momentum. The game needs no more billing than that
Karachi Kings captain also stressed his players had great respect for Lahore Qalandars