Top 5 Most Memorable Moments of PSL History

The Pakistan Super League, or PSL, is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan that was founded in 2015. The league has quickly become one of the most popular cricket tournaments in the world, attracting top talent from around the globe and providing fans with some truly unforgettable moments.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the top 5 most memorable moments in PSL history, from thrilling last-ball finishes to stunning individual performances

Islamabad United's last-ball victory in the 2016 final

The first PSL final, played in 2016, was a nail-biting affair that went down to the last ball. Islamabad United, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, batted first and set a target of 175 runs for Quetta Gladiators to chase. The Gladiators started strongly, with Ahmed Shehzad and Kumar Sangakkara putting on a 101-run partnership for the second wicket.

But the game swung back in Islamabad's favor when Mohammad Sami took three quick wickets to leave Quetta needing 9 runs off the last over. With three runs needed off the last ball, Anwar Ali could only manage a single, handing Islamabad United the title in their debut season.

Kamran Akmal's record-breaking century in 2017

Kamran Akmal is one of the most prolific batsmen in PSL history, and he proved it in style during the 2017 season. Playing for the Peshawar Zalmi, Akmal smashed an unbeaten 104 off just 65 balls against the Lahore Qalandars, setting a new record for the highest individual score in PSL history.

Akmal's innings included 7 sixes and 6 fours, and he shared a 117-run partnership with Dawid Malan that helped Peshawar Zalmi to a mammoth total of 191/7. The Qalandars could only manage 136/8 in reply, giving the Zalmi a comfortable victory.

Karachi Kings' dramatic Super Over win in 2020 final

The 2020 PSL final between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars was one of the most thrilling matches in the tournament's history. After Karachi had set a target of 135 runs, Lahore were cruising towards victory thanks to a brilliant innings from Ben Dunk.

But when Dunk was dismissed for 99, the Qalandars' middle order collapsed, and they were eventually bowled out for 134, forcing a Super Over to decide the winner. Karachi Kings held their nerve in the Super Over, with Babar Azam and Imad Wasim guiding them to victory and securing their first ever PSL title.

Darren Sammy's emotional farewell in 2020

Darren Sammy is a PSL legend, having led the Peshawar Zalmi to two titles in 2017 and 2019. But in 2020, he announced that it would be his last season playing in the league, and his farewell was an emotional moment for cricket fans around the world.

Sammy's final match came in the Zalmi's playoff clash against the Lahore Qalandars, and he marked the occasion with a typically energetic performance. Although his team lost the match, Sammy received a standing ovation from the crowd and his fellow players as he left the field, bringing the curtain down on a glittering PSL career.

Multan Sultans' dramatic last-ball win in 2021

The 2021 PSL season was one of the most competitive in the tournament's history, with several matches going down to the wire. But perhaps the most dramatic moment of the season came in a match between the Multan Sultans and the Karachi Kings

In this match, Karachi Kings had set a target of 195 runs for the Multan Sultans to chase, and it looked like they would easily get there when they reached 176/1 after 15 overs. However, the Sultans fought back brilliantly, taking regular wickets to leave Karachi needing 14 runs off the last over.

With Mohammad Amir bowling, the Sultans managed to restrict the Kings to 12 runs off the first five balls, setting up a thrilling final delivery. The tension was palpable as Amir bowled to the Sultans' Sohaib Maqsood, who had already hit three sixes in the innings.

Incredibly, Maqsood managed to launch Amir's final delivery over the boundary for another six, sealing a stunning victory for the Sultans with a last-ball six. The scenes of celebration that followed will live long in the memory of PSL fans.

These are just a few of the most memorable moments in the history of the Pakistan Super League. With the league continuing to grow in popularity and attract some of the best cricketing talent from around the world, there are sure to be many more unforgettable moments to come in the years ahead.

Conclusion

The Pakistan Super League has provided cricket fans with some truly unforgettable moments since its inception in 2015. From last-ball finishes to record-breaking individual performances and emotional farewells, the tournament has produced some of the most thrilling cricketing moments in recent years.

Among the most memorable moments are Islamabad United's last-ball victory in the first PSL final, Kamran Akmal's record-breaking century in 2017, and Karachi Kings' dramatic Super Over win in the 2020 final. Darren Sammy's emotional farewell in the same year and Multan Sultans' dramatic last-ball win in 2021 are also etched in the memories of cricket fans.

With the PSL continuing to grow in popularity and attract top talent from around the globe, there are sure to be many more unforgettable moments to come in the future. The PSL has firmly established itself as one of the premier T20 leagues in the world and promises to provide fans with plenty of exciting cricketing action in the years ahead.