Spinners Imad Wasim and Usama Mir shared six wickets among them to help Karachi Kings defend a mere 127 against Islamabad United in the second qualifier of the PSL 2017 in Sharjah. Karachi will now face Peshawar Zalmi in the eliminator and the winner will go onto take Quetta Gladiators in the final of the T20 league on March 7 in Lahore.
The second qualifier was nothing less than an exciting counter between both sides, a low scoring though. Batting first, Karachi Kings lost two wickets in the name of Chris Gayle and Babar Azam inside seven overs. Few sluggish shots from the middle-order batsmen later on added salt to injury, as Kings were reduced for 105 for five with four overs remaining.
A four-fer from Rumman Raees restricted the Kings to just 126.
In reply, defending champions Islamabad United got off to a shaky start before paddling their way back into the game. Their efforts were though kept on hold, as by the start of ninth over, they were already three down for 47.
Imad Wasim and Usama Mir then ripped apart their batting line-up by clocking three wickets each, as they wrapped up Islamabad United’s innings on 82.
Brief Score:
Karachi Kings – 126; Shoaib Malik 25(23), Babar Azam 25(21), Rumman Raees 4/25.
Islamabad United – 82; Asif Ali 39(36), 13(13), Imad Wasim 3/18