United beat Kings

KARACHI: Power hitter Asif Ali cut the wings of Imad Waseem-led Karachi Kings in a last over 162 run-chase in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League at the National Stadium Thursday.

Ali's unbeaten 10-ball 24 played a pivotal role during the death overs while facing Muhammad Aamir, Usman Khan Shinwari and Aamir Yameen. United won by four wickets with three balls remaining. Kings have maintained a unique record of by knocking out of the PSL in their first qualifier.

The Sami-11 will play against Peshawar Zalmi tomorrow in the second eliminator of the tournament. Alex Hales with his 41 off 42 balls, on five boundaries and one six setups a solid base for United, the momentum was later carried ahead by Hussain Talat (32).

Umer Khan bowled a sensational 2-16, while Aamir Yameen had a 2-27 spell. Usman Shinwari and Muhammad Aamir picked one wicket each. Fast bowling sensation Muhammad Musa with his three-for-42 restricted the feared Karachi Kings batting attack to 161.

Kings started with a fiery start courtesy knocks by Babar Azam (42) and Colin Munro (32). But all it required was a breakthrough by Musa who took down Munro's wicket to halt the building momentum. Livingstone and Ingram provided brief middle-order support but were soon taken down by Shadab Khan and Musa respectively.

The in-form batsman Ingram scored 23 off 16 before leaving the crease. Faheem Ashraf picked two wickets in the death overs to ensure no substantive resistance emerges from the lower-order. Rumman Raees and Shadab Khan picked one wicket each.