Daily Times

DUBAI: Islamabad United gave a sterling performance to down Karachi Kings by nine wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) play-off at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday night. With this win, Islamabad will now face Peshawar Zalmi in PSL third qualifying final. Chasing an easy target of 112, Islamabad’s top order fired with Dwayne Smith (not out) scoring 50 off 48 deliveries (seven fours and a six) in partnership with Brad Haddin, who scored a quickfire 52 (not out) off 29 deliveries (four fours and three sixes) to reach home. Islamabad made 115-1 in 14.2 overs. Sohail Khan was the only bowler for Karachi to provide them with a breakthrough, dismissing Sharjeel Khan for nine.

Earlier, change of captaincy did little to change the fortunes of Karachi as their top-order wobble proved too costly as they slipped and slid to a below par 111 for the loss of 9 wickets after being sent in to bat. Only three Karachi batsmen managed to get into double digits summed up the plight of the side that was led by Ravi Bopara after Shoaib Malik stepped down as captain on match eve.

The Islamabad bowlers kept their line and length in check to restrict Karachi to a small total. Mohammad Sami was the pick of bowlers for Islamabad with figures 4-0-8-5. Sami, with his pace and swing, troubled Karachi batsmen throughout his spell and dismissed Riki Wessels (one), Ravi Bopara (37), Ryan Ten Doeschate (16), Imad Wasim (six) and Usama Mir (zero). After being four down for 39, Karachi skipper Bopara tried to bring his team back into the contest by establishing a crucial 49-run stand for the fifth wicket with Doeschate, but in vain as batsmen coming down the order could not sustain the momentum. Andre Russell took two wickets, whereas Mohammad Irfan and Samuel Badree also pitched in by claiming a wicket each. Islamabad had brought in Russell, Badree and Imran Khalid in place of Saeed Ajmal, Azhar Mahmood and Ashar Zaidi. Karachi brought in Doeschate, Iftikhar, Imad and Mir Hamza. Islamabad, led by Misbahul Haq, were without hard-hitting Australian opening batsman Shane Watson. He was ruled out of the remainder of the Pakistan Super League with abdominal injury on February 13. Karachi have had a poor campaign throughout the league, winning just two out of their eight matches, and only got through to the next round on a better head-to-head record against Lahore Qalandars.