Gayle storm leads Karachi to six-wicket win over Islamabad

 

Explosive West Indies opener Chris Gayle hits form just at the right time as Karachi Kings defeated Islamabad United by six wickets to seal a berth in the playoffs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) second edition at Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 124 to win in the rain-affected tie, Gayle finally returns to form and scored blistering 44 off just 17 balls with the help of five massive sixes and two boundaries to seal a rather comfortable victory for Kumar Sangakkara’s men.

He was well supported by his fellow opener Babar Azam (27 off 27) and Kieron Pollard (20 not out off 13).

For Islamabad, young leg-spinner Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers, as he claimed three wickets and just give away 13 runs in his three overs.

Earlier, after being sent in to bat first, Islamabad managed to score 123 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 15 overs.

Opener Dwayne Smith finished the innings with the top score of 49 off 36 balls, which included seven boundaries and one six.

For Karachi, pacers Sohail Khan, Mohammad Amir and Usman Khan Shinwari claimed two wickets each.

Presentation:

Chris Gayle (Man of the match): I am happy for the man of the match, and I am happy to get some runs. I wanted to contribute for the team, and I am happy I made some contribution. It was a crucial time for the team as well, so I am really glad.

Misbahul Haq: Obviously loss is a loss, and this loss does not feel good, because we had the chance to win here and finish on top of the table. I think they played better than us, and we made costly mistakes, which was the difference in the end. I think we really have to play better cricket in the next match.

Kumar Sangakkara: I think it was an important win, and I am really happy for Chris that he got some runs. T20 game changes from day to day, so I hope this win will help in the matches to come. It was hard to leave someone like Chris out of the side, because we knew what he can do for the team. I think everyone today contributed really well.



KHI 127-4 (15 overs)

FOUR! And that's it. Karachi sealed a crucial victory.

Rumman Raees to start the final over.



KHI 117-4 (14 overs)

Eleven off the over. Good one for Karachi.

FOUR! And with that, it's official that Karachi Kings have qualified for the Playoffs

Mohammad Sami to start his last over.



KHI 106-4 (13 overs)

Just five off the over.

Rumman Raees to start his second over.



KHI 101-4 (12 overs)

Nine off the over. Good one for Karachi.

Mohammad Sami to start his second over.



KHI 92-4 (11 overs)

Just two runs and two wickets off the over. Brilliant bowling from the youngster.

Shadab Khan to bowl the final over.



KHI 90-2 (10 overs)

Just five off the over.

Shane Watson to start his first over.



KHI 85-2 (9 overs)

Just six runs and a wicket off the over.

Shadab Khan to start his second over.



KHI 79-1 (8 overs)

Ten off the over. Good one for Karachi.

Saeed Ajmal to continue.



KHI 69-1 (7 overs)

Just five off the over.

Shadab Khan to his first over.



KHI 64-1 (6 overs)

Nineteen runs and a wicket off the over.

Saeed Ajmal to start his first over.



KHI 45-0 (5 overs)

Eighteen off the over. Great one for Karachi

Mohammad Irfan to start his final over.



KHI 27-0 (4 overs)

Just five off the over.

Rumman Raees to start his first over.



KHI 22-0 (3 overs)

Just three off the over.

Mohammad Irfan to continue.



KHI 19-0 (2 overs)

Just five off the over.

FOUR! Babar Azam gets another boundary.

Mohammad Sami to start his first over.



KHI 14-0 (1 over)

Fourteen off the over. Great start for Karachi.

So it's Chris Gayle and Babar Azam to open for Karachi, whereas Mohammad Irfan to start for Islamabad.



So that's it everyone from the first half. The equation is Karachi needs to score 111 runs to qualify for the playoffs. Will join you all for the second half.



ISL 123-7 (15 overs)

Eleven runs and two wickets off the over.

OUT! Amir gets the wicket of the final ball.

Mohammad Amir to bowl the final over.



ISL 112-5 (14 overs)

Eleven runs and two wickets off the over.

Usman Khan to bowl his final over.


ISL 101-3 (13 overs)

Usman Khan to start his final over.



ISL 101-3 (13 overs)

Just eight off the over.

Mohammad Amir to start his first over.



ISL 93-3 (12 overs)

Just eight off the over. Great stuff from the youngster.

Usman Khan to start his second over.



ISL 85-3 (11 overs)

Eighteen off the over. A good one for Islamabad.

Usama Mir to start his final over.



ISL 67-3 (10 overs)

Just six runs and a wicket off the over.

Sohail Khan to bowl his final over.



ISL 61-2 (9 overs)

Just four off the over.

Usama Mir to continue.



ISL 57-2 (8 overs)

Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Short and Smith earns an important boundary.

Imad to bowl his last over.



ISL 49-1 (7 overs)

Just six off the over.

Usama Mir to start his first over.



ISL 43-1 (6 overs)

Just three off the over.

Imad Wasim to continue.



ISL 40-1 (5 overs)

Eleven runs and a wicket off the over.

Sohail Khan to continue.



ISL 29-0 (4 overs)

Just seven off the overs.

Usman Khan Shiwari



ISL 22-0 (3 overs)

Just seven off the over.

Sohail Khan to start his first over.



ISL 15-0 (2 overs)

Just six off the over.

Mohammad Amir to start his first over.



ISL 9-0 (1 over)

Nine off the over. A good one Islamabad.

So it's Dwayne Smith and Ben Duckett to open for Islamabad United, whereas Imad Wasim will start for Karachi Kings.



TOSS: The news is Karachi Kings captain has won the toss, and decided to bowl first.