The Shadab Khan-led Islamabad United has won back-to-back knockout matches to seal their place in the final of the PSL 2024, where they will face Mohammad Rizwan’s Multan Sultans.
Shadab Khan took a sensational, flying catch of Babar Azam, the Peshawar Zalmi captain, in their encounter in Eliminator 2 on Saturday evening in Karachi. Babar was dismissed after scoring 25 runs in 22 balls. He was set and wanted to shift gears, but Shadab’s mind-blowing catch cut Babar’s innings shot, denting Zalmi’s score.
Babar Azam made room to hammer a length ball from fast bowler Naseem Shah over the fielders inside the ring on the off-side. But the delivery was a bit too cramped for Babar to make enough room to take the off-side properly. Consequently, he didn’t time his aerial shot as much as he would liked to.
Still, he got a decent chunk on it and the ball seemed to fly over Shadab Khan at mid-off. However, the United captain made a stunning jump, flew to his right and managed to pluck the ball out of thin air. The sight of Shadab’s flight, and timing of the jump was simply awe-inspiring, while Babar looked at the catch with a stunned face.
Watch: Shadab Khan takes a stunner to dismissed Babar Azam
![[Watch] Shadab Khan Takes The Catch Of PSL 2024; Leaves Babar Azam Stunned In Eliminator](https://thecricketlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shardul-2024-03-17T105704.579.webp)
A bird, a plane? No, it’s SUPERMAN SHADAB KHAN 😱#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/PZFbd2ZNHV
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 16, 2024
Saim Ayub (73 off 44) and Mohammad Haris (40 off 25) helped Peshawar’s score to 185. This looked enough for Zalmi to win the match when United were in trouble at 91/5. However, then Imad Wasim and Haider Ali blew away the Zalmi bowlers with their powerful batting. Imad blasted 59 (40) and Haider smashed 52* (29) to take United over the line with six balls to spare and five wickets in hand.
Babar Azam said: “After 10 overs we were in a good position. But after that the bowling was very bad. Conditions remained the same. We just didn’t execute the plans. Credit to Imad and Haider the way he’s playing. First 10 overs we were ahead, and then it was ordinary bowling. Thanks to the fans.”
The final between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans will also be played in Karachi on Monday.