Watch Pakistan Super League qualifier 2 cricket video highlights between Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi, played at National Stadium, Karachi.
Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field first.
On the strength of outstanding powerplay bowling, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim claimed 3-12 on Friday as Islamabad United destroyed Quetta Gladiators to advance in the Pakistan Super League playoffs.
The two-time past champions United will play Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 2 on Saturday. The victor will play Multan Sultans in the final on Monday.
In their first postseason match in four years, Gladiators were all out for 135 in the 19th over after United scored 174-9. By 39 runs, Islamabad prevailed. Wasim’s three wickets in the first six overs helped reduce Quetta to 16 for 5, so even Omair Yousuf’s valiant fifty couldn’t stop the damage.
In the opening over, captain Rilee Rossouw was caught at deep square leg by wicketkeeper Azam Khan, while Khawaja Nafay produced a soft catch at mid-off. Saud Shakeel gloved a leg-side ball to Khan.
As Quetta lost half of its side in the powerplay, Jason Roy’s miserable season as a batsman came to an end when he was caught at first slip on 1 off Naseem Shah. Laurie Evans was also run out after being confused with Akeal Hosein.
In his opening game of the season, Martin Guptill scored 56 runs on a two-paced pitch earlier. Guptill shared two half-centuries with Agha Salman (31) and Alex Hales (23). In the final four overs, Quetta made a dramatic comeback, taking six wickets for 12 runs in 15 balls. But 175 proved to be too much Quetta to overcome.
