DUBAI: Islamabad United shattered Lahore Qalandars’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs by defeating them by five wickets in the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL), at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday night. Islamabad’s win paved way for Karachi Kings to qualify for the playoffs. Karachi, led by Shoaib Malik, qualified for the playoffs with a better head-to-head record. Islamabad’s left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan was declared the Man of the Match for his three wickets for 22 runs. Chasing victory target of 151, Islamabad lost openers Dwayne Smith (11) and Sharjeel Khan (five) early in the innings. But Islamabad capitalised on a solid 69-run stand for the third wicket between Brad Haddin and Khalid Latif. Haddin scored 54 off 42 deliveries with five fours and two sixes, whereas Latif, continuing his impressive run in the PSL, scored 25 off 24 balls. Both Haddin and Latif were set on course to complete the target but ran themselves out in the middle of the innings.
Lahore’s pace spearhead Ehsan Adil tried to bring his team back into the contest by trapping Asif Ali leg before for three, leaving Islamabad five down for 126. But Islamabad skipper Misbahul Haq (38 off 19, with five fours) partnered with Azhar Mahmood (12 off nine balls) to establish a match-winning 25-run partnership for the sixth wicket and take their side home. Things might have been different for Lahore had Ziaul Haq gotten Misbah’s catch in the 18th over. Misbah, in his attempt to go over the top, mishit a Dwayne Bravo delivery, with the ball going straight up in the air only to land safely a few feet away from Zia. For Lahore, Zia remained the most successful bowler by claiming two wickets for 38 runs in his four-over spell.
Earlier, Sohaib Maqsood and Umar Akmal scored quick half-centuries as Lahore managed to recover from early blows and post 150-5 in 20 overs. Maqsood scored 57 off 44 deliveries in an innings which included five fours and two sixes. Akmal, coming to bat at number five, scored an unbeaten 72 off 49 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Maqsood and Akmal established a crucial 97-run stand for the fourth wicket after Islamabad left the Lahore batting line-up struggling at 6-3 in just 2.4 overs. Lahore skipper Azhar Ali was the first to depart on one, followed by Cameron Delport (one) and Mohammad Rizwan (zero). Later, Dwayne Bravo (13) joined Akmal for a 41-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help their side post a competitive total.