PSL 2018 Final: Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi

Islamabad United, who emerged champions in 2016, lifted their second title in three years after defeating Peshawar Zalmi in a historic PSL final at the National Stadium, Karachi on Sunday. (Source: PSL Twitter)

Batting first the Zalmi’s managed to score 148/9 in 20 overs. (Source: PSL Twitter)

Luke Ronchi and Sahibzada Farhan stitched a 96-run opening stand to put Islamabad United in the driver's seat. (Source: PSL Twitter)

Wahab Riaz looked dejected during the PSL final. (Source: PSL Twitter)

Cricket fans display their tickets for Pakistan Super League final cricket match at National stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, March 25, 2018. (Source: AP)

Thousands of spectators endured long queues and navigated stringent security checkpoints hours ahead of a high profile cricket match on Sunday in Pakistan's biggest city, the first time in nine years that it has hosted a game of such stature. (Source: AP)

A cricket fan displays a placard while standing in a long queue to enter the National stadium for the Pakistan Super League final cricket match. (Source: AP)

West Indies cricketers Darren Sammy, right, Andre Fletcher, second left, and Pakistani cricketer Hassan Ali, center, dance during a music show prior to start of the Pakistan Super League final cricket match at National stadium, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday. (Source: AP)

Islamabad United will take on Peshawar Zalmi in the final of the 3rd season of Pakistan Super League at National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday. The preparations for the big clash are in full swing with billboards and player cut-outs on display on the sides of main streets to celebrate an international-standard game. The tournament, which was played in Dubai, shifted its base to Pakistan during the knockout stages. While the eliminators and the qualifier were played in Lahore, the final will be in Karachi. It will be for the first time in nine years that a high-profile cricket match will be played in Karachi. (AP)

Heavy security forces are deployed for the big match in Karachi. More than 8,000 security personnel are being stationed throughout the city. The armed paramilitary forces were stationed outside the main entrance of the National Stadium on Saturday. Spectators might have to wait in long queues before the evening final and will get into the stadium only after going through at least three security checkpoints. (AP)

The last international match that was played at National Stadium in Karachi was a Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka back in 2009. The Sri Lanka bus was attacked by militants on March 3 outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, just a few days after the conclusion of the Test match. (AP)

The attack resulted in an end to international cricket in the country, and the Pakistan Cricket Board was left with no choice but to choose United Arab Emirates as its "home" turf to host international teams. (AP)

Misbah-ul-Haq-led Islamabad United defeated Karachi Kings by 8 wickets on March 18 to book their final berth in the tournament. The Darren Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by 1 run in the first eliminator and then defeated Karachi Kings by 13 runs to reach the final. (AP)