PSL Final, Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United, Live Cricket Score: Samit Patel Strikes, Kamran Akmal Departs

The stage is set for the Pakistan Super League 2018 final between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at Karachi on Sunday. Islamabad United, who finished at the top of round-robin stage, qualified for the final after comprehensively beating Karachi Kings by eight wickets. Peshawar got the better of Mohammad Amir-led Karachi Kings in the Eliminator to book their berth in the final. Kamran Akmal was the star of the show for the Zalmis with a 27-ball 77 helping his team post 170 for seven in 16 overs. Captain Sammy also played a cameo, smashing 23 runs off 12 balls.

Catch live updates and action of the PSL 2018 Final between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi straight from Karachi.

20:47 IST: SIX! Couple of steps down the wicket and Hafeez guides the ball over cow corner for a maximum.

20:46 IST: Four! Length delivery from Sami, Fletcher lifts him over mid-on for a boundary.

20:42 IST: Mohammad Hafeez is the new man in.

20:41 IST: OUT!! A huge shout for LBW from Samit Patel, the umpire raises his figure and Kamran Akmal goes for the review. Ball tracker shows the ball pitching in line and hitting the stumps. Peshawar lose their first wicket.

OUT! 2.4 Samit Patel to Kamran Akmal
Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/cOZwC5PSix#IUvPZ #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/gZqlEqkn1E

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

20:40 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Fletcher off Patel. Pressure on the bowler now.

20:37 IST: Peshawar Zalmi 2/0 after the second over. A slow start from the batsmen.

20:32 IST: After the end of the first over, Peshawar Zalmi are 1/0.

20:30 IST: Samit Patel is opening the bowling for Islamabad United. Kamran Akmal and Andre Fletcher are opening the batting for Peshawar Zalmi.

20:05 IST: Playing XIs:

Islamabad United: Luke Ronchi (w), Sahibzada Farhan, Chadwick Walton, Jean-Paul Duminy(c), Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Samit Patel, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Sami, Amad Butt

Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran Akmal (w), Andre Fletcher, Mohammad Hafeez, Saad Nasim, Darren Sammy(c), Liam Dawson, Umaid Asif, Chris Jordan, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Sameen Gul

20:00 IST: Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy wins toss, elects to bat.

Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/9k1yGhFN1x

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

19:35 IST: With the show over, the players are on the field practicing.

19:30 IST: With the opening performances still happening, the toss is delayed.

19:15 IST: Darren Sammy is dancing on the stage. This final is surely special for the fans.

Waqai Koi Nahi Hay In Jaisa!!!!@darensammy88 @RealHa55an Andre Fletcher#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/phQVKBZhB9

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

19:09 IST: The iconic band Strings are up on the stage.

The iconic band @stringsonline on stage! The closing ceremony here at NSK is LIT #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/vW1yjcjqaV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

19:05 IST: The audiences are enjoying the live performances.

Karachi Main Aaya Final...
Sab Mil Ke Josh Dikhain Gey...
Yeh Sheher Barhy Dil Walon Ka...
Sab Apas Main Jurh Jaing Gey!!!@ShehzadRoy on stage singing #DeDhanaDhan#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/Y30Ih4vIkV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Farhan Saeed on stage asking "Kitna Hai Dum"#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/N4bJsHJ9BO

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Chairman PCB and PSL, @najamsethi giving his thanks giving speech at the #HBLPSL 2018 closing ceremony#DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/CsShEQchGS

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

.@AimaBaig3 on stage!
Bhanwain Sir Di Baazi Lag Jaaway#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/Bdc7oVc5sV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

Chairman PCB and PSL, @najamsethi giving his thanks giving speech at the closing ceremony of the #HBLPSL 2018#DilSeKaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/4pwXx9h2PI

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 25, 2018

18:45 IST: Hello and welcome to the live blog of the PSL 2018 final.

Karachi lost opener Mukhtar Ahmed in the second over, however, Babar Azam and Joe Denly came together to string a 117-run stand for the second wicket. But the pace of the partnership was too slow and meant that Karachi fell short, and embarrassingly with as many as 8 wickets in hand. Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by a single run in the first eliminator. They went on to qualify for the final by beating Karachi Kings by 13 runs.