Daily Times

DUBAI: Luke Ronchi’s sublime innings helped Islamabad United thrash Karachi Kings by eight wickets in the first playoff of the Pakistan Super League III (PSL) at Dubai Stadium here on Sunday night. With the victory, Islamabad qualified for the PSL 2018 final. The kiwi batsman scored the fastest half-century of the PSL on his way to an unbeaten 39-ball 94 to move his team to within one victory of their second title triumph in three years. Both the sides were without their regular captains, with Islamabad’s Misbahul Haq nursing a hand injury and Karachi’s Imad Wasim recuperating from concussion. Chasing target of 155, Islamabad, riding on Ronchi’s dazzling knock, romped to their second PSL final. Sahibzada Farhan, and later Alex Hales and Samit Patel also provided able support, but the day belonged to Ronchi. The margin of victory in terms of balls remaining (45) was the biggest in the tournament. Ronchi’s unbeaten knock included 12 fours and five sixes. For Karachi, pacers Tymal Mills and Usman Khan Shinwari claimed a wicket each. Earlier, after deciding to bat first, Karachi posted a competitive total of 154-4 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Joe Denly (51 off 46) and Colin Ingram (68 not out off 39). For Islamabad, right-arm pacer Mohammad Sami claimed two, whereas Faheem Ashraf and Amad Butt claimed a wicket each.

Brief scores: Islamabad United 155 for 2 (Luke Ronchi 94 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 29) beat Karachi Kings 154 for 4 (Colin Ingram 68 not out, Joe Denly 51, Mohammad Sami 2-20) by eight wickets.

Published in Daily Times, March 20^th 2018.