Karachi Kings end Islamabad United’s PSL title defence to set up final eliminator with Peshawar Zalmi

PSL: Karachi Kings v Islamabad United (February 26) (PSL / PCB)

SHARJAH // For the second night in a row, a Pakistani left-arm spinner turned a seemingly lost match on its head, as Imad Wasim bowled Karachi Kings a step closer to a trip to Lahore.

The Wales-born bowler followed where Mohammed Nawaz had so spectacularly led in the first qualifying final on Tuesday night, performing the seminal turn as Karachi ended Islamabad United’s title defence.

The 28-year-old spinner dismissed Islamabad’s two most experienced batsmen, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shane Watson, as well as the West Indian Nicholas Pooran.

By the time his work was done – Imad had bowled all his four overs by the 13th over – United’s chase was ruined. They had only needed 127 to win. They ended up nowhere near.

__________________________________

Read more

■ Play-offs: Quetta secure place in final with last-ball win

__________________________________

The contrast to what had gone on the night before, when Peshawar Zalmi had lost out on a direct trip to Sunday’s final to Quetta Gladiators by the odd run in 399, was stark.

On that occasion, a friendly pitch meant batsmen could blaze the ball over the fence more or less at will. A day on, the same wicket had totally different characteristics.

Arguably the most extraordinary game in the short history of the Pakistan Super League had finished at midnight the night before.

Shahid Afridi’s Peshawar, who lost out on the last ball in that game to Quetta, had brought the crowds with them in droves. The atmosphere was electric, and the cricket was, too.

By contrast, the second eliminator final was slow going, in more ways than one.

In the stands, the crowds were not exactly beating down the door to get in, but did traipse in as time passed. By the time Imad was working his magic, “Dil Dil Pakistan” was booming around the bleachers with rare passion.

Karachi’s top order batting reflected the mood. In Babar Azam and Chris Gayle, the Kings have two openers who were among the most sought after ahead of this tournament.

And yet between them, they played out a maiden apiece at the start of the innings. Thirteen balls went by before they troubled the scoreboard. Then Babar hit all of the next four balls to the boundary. It was surreal stuff.

At no point thereafter, though, did the Karachi batting really catch fire. Where the innings started in a rash of dots, it finished in a flurry of wickets.

The last seven were lost for 26 runs, and the last five for just six. Ironically, the two chief destroyers were both born in Karachi. Rumman Raees, the 25-year-old left-armer, took four for 25, including three wickets in the penultimate over. Mohammed Sami bowled the last, and took two.

Karachi’s 126 all out felt paltry at that point, but their doubts were assuaged by a pair of Pakistani left-armers.

Mohammed Amir forced the opening with the new ball, by sending back Dwayne Smith and Brad Haddin.

Then Imad had his say in the middle overs, setting Amir up to apply the finish. When he had Raees caught on the boundary, he had three for seven, and Islamabad were all out for 82.

Karachi now face a final eliminator against Peshawar in Dubai on Friday.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport