< >

Karachi Kings bowlers knock Islamabad United out of PSL

by Sandeep Shivam Thursday 2 March 2017

Imad Wasim (centre) picked a three wicket haul

©Chris Whiteoak

Karachi Kings 126 (Raees 4-25) beat
Islamabad United 82 (Ali 39) by 44 runs
Second Qualifying Final, Pakistan Super League, Sharjah

Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Usama Mir picked three wickets apiece as Karachi Kings bowled out Islamabad United for 82 runs in a chase of 127 in the second qualifying final of the Pakistan Super League in Sharjah to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

Islamabad United started the chase cautiously scoring 10 runs from the first two overs following which Amir (3-7) dismissed both Dwayne Smith (8) and Brad Haddin (0) in the third over.

With a six and a four in the sixth over, Asif Ali (39) ended the powerplay at 34 for two. In the eight over bowled by Mir (3-24), Ali was dropped at long on by Kieron Pollard but Islamabad United lost their skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (13) at the other end.

From there on the former champions hardly recovered and lost their last seven wickets for just 21 runs to be dismissed for 82 runs.

Earlier, Karachi Kings had a sedate start to their innings after inserted to bat first by Islamabad United. After first two overs, failed to yield any run, Babar Azam (25) scored five boundaries in the next two overs following which Chris Gayle (17) struck a six and was castled by Rumman Raees (4-25) in the final over of powerplay.

Despite, starts from Azam, Kumar Sangakkara (17), Shoaib Malik (25), Ravi Bopara (14) and Imad Wasim (14), Islamabad United collapsed in the final five overs where they seven wickets and managed just 26 runs.

Karachi Kings will now lock horns with Peshawar Zalmi and the winner will take on Quetta Gladiators in the final in Lahore on 5th March.