Islamabad United clinched their second Pakistan Super League title after defeating Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets in Karachi on Sunday.

Peshawar batted first on a momentous day for Karachi as the city hosted its first major match in nine years. England all-rounder Chris Jordan top-scored with 36 as Zalmi made 148-9. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan picked up 3-25.

In reply, Luke Ronchi got Islamabad off to a blazing start as he blasted 52 off 26 balls. Islamabad lost wickets towards the end but the near-century opening stand did the job for them.

Here we look at the talking points from Islamabad’s clinical win.

WAHAB RIAZ GIVES ZALMI A FIGHTING TOTAL

Peshawar were struggling to make a match out of it after being reduced to 111-6 in the 16th over. Jordan and Liam Dawson (33) tried to keep the scoreboard moving but it was fast bowler Riaz who added impetus to the inning by smashing 28 off 14 balls with four fours and one six. Without his effort, Peshawar would have struggled to be in the contest.

SHADAB KHAN DELIVERS AT THE BIGGEST STAGE

Shadab entered the final with just six wickets to his name but his economy was a brilliant 6.5. In the final, he not only maintained that great economy rate but picked up three wickets. The way he dismissed the dangerous looking Andre Fletcher (21) with a flipper was a delight to watch. Sky is the limit for the 19-year-old leg spinner.

ISLAMABAD OPENERS END THE CONTEST

Luke Ronchi (52) and Sahibzada Farhan (44) dashed all hopes of a Peshawar fightback as they cracked 96 inside nine overs for the opening wicket. Even though Zalmi picked up wickets at regular intervals thereafter, Islamabad had reached too close to the target.

OFF DAY FOR HASAN ALI

The Zalmi pacer is the premier fast bowler in Pakistan but when it mattered the most, he failed to deliver. His four overs went for 53 runs which was by far the worst among regular bowlers who bowled more than one over on Sunday. Expected a lot more from Ali as he delivered the most expensive spell of his T20 career.