Karachi qualify for playoffs after beating Islamabad

SHARJAH: It was a must-win game for Karachi to became the fourth team to qualify for playoffs, and their bowlers significantly worked to take the team to next task as Kings defeated United by seven wickets in this crucial match of Pakistan Super league third edition ( PSL 3) here at Sharjah on Friday.

The first qualifier would also be played between Karachi Kings and Islamabad United on Sunday in Dubai, the winner of which will enter the final of the third edition directly.

While Peshawar Zalmi will face Quetta Gladiators in the first eliminator in Lahore on March 20, the winner of the competition will then take on the losing team from the qualifier in the second eliminator on March 21 at the same venue. And the much awaited final will be played in Karachi on March 25.

In a successful bid to make the last four in third edition of the Pakistan Super league, Karachi Kings pacers Usman Khan Shinwari and Mohammad Irfan Junior demolished the Islamabad United batting line for a paltry 124 in 19 overs.

While chasing an easy target of 125, Karachi Kings completed their victory in just 17 Overs against three wickets to snatch the second place from Peshawar Zalmi at the points table.

However, a defeat could not make any difference to Islamabad United as they already are toppers on the table, while Zalmi slipped to third spot on the points table and Gladiators stood at the 4th.

After being sent into bat by Karachi Kings, Islamabad United made a disastrous start losing both their openers for just 17 runs on the board. Then Chadwick Walton (19) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (21) came to rescue the team but could add 35 runs for the third wicket before three wickets fell quickly as score reached 63-5.

However, Asif Ali (34) and Shadab Khan (8) made some recovery adding 40 for the sixth wicket and later the team collapsed within five overs.

Usman Khan captured four for 17, his career-best, and irfan Junior claimed two for 44.