DUBAI: Chris Gayle’s quick-fire innings of 44 runs helped Karachi Kings beat Islamabad United by six wickets in their crucial Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 encounter in Dubai and qualify for the tournament’s play-off stage, ARY News reported.
Karachi Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first in the must win fixture. The match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to downpours which lashed Dubai all day.
Islamabad United scored 123/7 in their 20 overs with Dwayne Smith scoring 49 runs from 36 balls with the help of seven boundaries and a six whereas Brad Haddin scored 20 runs off 12 balls with a six to his name.
Ben Duckett and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored 16 and 12 runs respectively for the team.
Karachi Kings pacers Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Amir and Sohail Khan grabbed two wickets each in the match.
Karachi Kings, chasing 124 runs to win, reached the target in 14.5 overs and six wickets to spare thanks to Chris Gayle’s blistering knock of 44 runs runs from 17 balls which included two fours and five sixes.
Babar Azam made run-a-ball innings of 27 runs whereas Kieron Pollard contributed 20 runs with the blade.
Shadab Khan took three wickets for Islamabad United and Saeed Ajmal took one wicket.
Chris Gayle was named Player of the match for his performance with the bat.
Quetta Gladiators will take on Peshawar Zalmi in the first play-off game of the tournament whereas Islamabad United face Karachi Kings in the second play-off.
Karachi Kings XI: Babar Azam, Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Shoaib Malik, Ravi Bopara, Kieron Pollard, Imad Wasim, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Amir, Usama Mir and Usman Shinwari.
Islamabad United XI: Dwayne Smith, Ben Duckett, Hussain Talat, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees and Saeed Ajmal.
