Kings beat United by seven wickets, qualify for playoffs

SHARJAH: Karachi Kings qualified to play the Pakistan Super League's playoff round after smashing down Islamabad United by six wickets on Friday, Geo TV reported.

Kings will play Islamabad United again in the qualifier match on Sunday. The winner goes through to the final, while the loser gets a second chance and plays the winner of the first eliminator between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiator.

Multan Sultans, who many considered favourites at the start of the tournament as they were on top of the league standings at the halfway mark, were unable to qualify for the second-leg of the tournament as Karachi Kings edged ahead with the victory on Friday.

Courtesy a four-wicket haul by Usman Khan Shinwari, the Morgan-led team restricted Islamabad United to 124 runs. The fast bowler bagged the wickets of JP Duminy, Faheem Ashraf, Zafar Gohar and Steven Finn. Shinwari was given the Man of the Match award for his four-wicket haul.

The fast bowler was well-assisted by leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who picked up two wickets in the match, finishing with figures of 4-1-18-2 after bowling out skipper United Misbah (19) and Walton (21) to leave Islamabad looking clueless after a shaky start.