DUBAI – Islamabad United defeated Karachi Kings by nine wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eliminator at the Dubai International Stadium Saturday.
Islamabad United skipper Misbahul Haq chose to field first, being unsure of the dew in second innings. His pacers did not let him down and with brilliant Mohammad Sami’s 5 for 8 in 4 overs, United restricted Karachi Kings to 111-9.
Simmons in the beginning tried some big shots, but failed to convert into a solid innings and fell for 19. After Shoaib Malik returned for duck Ryan Doeschate (16) stayed firm with Bopara to lift up Kings innings and put up a valuable partnership of 45 runs.
Skipper Ravi Bopara (37) was the top scorer for Kings. United, in reply, was right on the track from the start and with Bred Haddin (51) and Dwayne Smith (50), they easily chased down the target in just 14.2 overs with 9 wickets in hand.
Mohammad Sami, for his brilliant performance with the ball, was chosen the Man of the Match.
Islamabad United will take on Peshawar Zalmi in the third qualifier.
Scores:
Karachi 111-9 (Simmons 19, Bopara 37; M. Sami 5-8, Russell 2-21). Islamabad 115-1 in 14.2 overs (DR Smith 50 not out, Haddin 52 not out).
