Karachi Kings will play the third Qualifying Final of Second Edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) against Peshawar Zalmi on March 3 after it beat Defending Champions Islamabad United by 44 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was the low-scoring game despite being affected by dew as Karachi Kings while batting first was bowled out for just 126 runs in 19.4 overs. Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik remained the highest scorers for Karachi with 25 runs each.
For Islamabad United, Rumman Raees picked up 4 wickets while Muhammad Sami and Shane Watson got 2 each. One wicket was taken by Shadab Khan.
In reply, Islamabad United was all out for 82 runs, falling short of 44 runs. Asif Ali scored 39 runs whereas Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was the only second batsman for Islamabad United who entered the double figure with 13 runs.
For Karachi Kings, Muhammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Usama Mir bagged 3 wickets each while Sohail Khan took 1 wicket.
Following the defeat in second Qualifying Final, Islamabad United has been knocked out of the HBL PSL 2017.
Now Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi will play the third Qualifying Final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 3. The winner will meet Quetta Gladiator in the -PSL 2017 Final to be played at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on March 5.
Earlier on Tuesday, Quetta Gladiators bagged an expected win against Peshawar Zalmi by 1 run. In reply to Quetta’s 200 runs, Peshawar fell short of just one run in stipulated 50 overs despite Shahid Afridi’s 34 off just 13 balls.
11 days, 10 matches, 8 thrillers. This has been a scarcely believable season & great entertainment. #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/F6bMxRrZdn
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) February 28, 2017
Even in the first edition of HBL PSL played at United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2016, Quetta Gladiators was the finalist but lost to Islamabad United.