PSL 2019: Karachi Kings crumble in death overs to keep Islamabad United's title defence alive

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  • Islamabad United's Asif Ali.

    Islamabad United won the first Eliminator in the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL), beating Karachi Kings by four wickets on Thursday.

    The defending champions will meet Peshawar Zalmi for a place in the final against Quetta Gladiators during the second Eliminator on Friday.
    Playing in front of their home support, Karachi got off to a flyer. Colin Munro did the damage at the top of the order, hitting 32 of just 11 balls while Babar Azam scored 42 off 32.

    The duo put up a 52-run stand for the first wicket which came off just 21 balls. Munro was particularly explosive, hitting six boundaries and a six. However, he departed with a strike rate of 290.90 when he edged a Muhammad Musa delivery behind for Luke Ronchi.

    Liam Livingstone supported Azam and Karachi brought up their 100 in 10 overs but things then started to fall apart. Both batsmen were dismissed in consecutive overs and the team consistently lost wickets with Musa ending with figures of 3-42. The hosts struggled to 161/9.

    Despite Ronchi’s early dismissal, Islamabad’s chase began well with Cameron Delport and Alex Hales setting the course. Imad Wasim’s side fought back though, starting with the wicket of Delport who departed for 38 from 27 balls while Hales got to 41 from 42.

    After Chadwick Walton got out for a duck, the tie hung in the balance but as they did with the bat, Karachi crumbled with the ball in the latter stages as well. Hussain Talat accelerated United towards their target with a knock of 32 from 19 balls which included three sixes before Faheem Ashraf (17) and Asif Ali (24*) got them over the line with three balls to spare.

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