Karachi Kings defeat United to qualify for PSL semifinals

KARACHI: Karachi Kings defeated Islamabad United by four wickets in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 5 at National Stadium.

The Karachi Kings have become the first team to qualify for semi-finals of the PSL season.

Sharjeel Khan scored 37 runs from just 14 fours including 4 sixes and three boundaries to give the team a lead. Ace batsman Babar Azam scored 19 runs and departed right after Sharjeel.

Cameron Delport and Imad Wasim carried the team forward before Delport was bowled by United skipper Shadab Khan. Imad Wasim scored 26 runs while Walton managed 11. Chris Jordan and Umaid Asif took the team to victory with four balls to spare.

Shadab Khan grabbed two wickets, while Muhammad Musa, Zafar Gohar, Akif Javed and Rumman Raees bagged one each.

#MatchUpdate – #KarachiKings – #9thMatch – #HBLPSLV – #KKvIU#KarachiKings won the match by Wickets!!! ????#YehHaiKarachi pic.twitter.com/JlWPgfMuF0

— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) March 14, 2020

Earlier Karachi Kings restricted Islamabad United to a modest score of 136-6 in 20 overs. The Kings won the boss but sent United in to bat first as bowlers dominated the team.

Islamabad United started off well with openers Rizwan Hussain and PD Salt who scored 35 runs together for the first wicket.

Umaid Asif removed Rizwan for 17 runs while skipper Imad Wasim bagged Salt to dent United to 59-2. Hussain Talat scored 37 runs off 30 balls with the help of four boundaries, but wickets kept falling.

For Karachi Kings, Umaid Asif, Chris Jordan, Imad Wasim, Arshad Iqbal and Iftikhar Ahmed bagged a wicket each.

Karachi Kings will now face Quetta Gladiators on Sunday and are on the second place in the points table. United are placed fifth and are out of contention for the semi-final spot.