SHARJAH MARCH 16: Karachi Kings scored a comprehensive six wicket win over Islamabad United to book their place in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Play-Offs as the gripping round stage came to an end.

Set a comfortable 125 run chase, Kings cruised past the target in 17 overs. Khurram Manzoor (15) and Joe Denly (36) added 33 for the opening wicket to set the platform for the chase.

After Khurram’s departure Denly added 36 for the second wicket.

Eoin Morgan was dimissed for two but United’s hopes of a comeback were dashed by Denly and Babar Azam who remained unbeaten on 29.

Colin Ingram remained undefeated on 31 off 30 balls including two sixes and two fours as his 53 run partnership took Kings to the Play-Offs.

Kings will take on United in a repeat of today’s clash in the First Play-Off at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Peshawar who qualified for the Play-Offs after defeating Qalandars early in the day will now take on Quetta Gladiators in the First Eliminator at Lahore’s Gaddaffi Stadium on Tuesday.

Earlier, United were restricted to a below par first innings total of 124 largely due to the heroics of Kings pacer Usman Shinwari (Man-of-the-Match) who bowled with sustained hostility to return with a four wicket burst in his four over spell conceding a mere 17 runs.

Shinwari was well supported by Shahid Afridi who continued to make an impression in the league despite a persistent knee problem, the veteran all-rounder collected two wickets conceding just 18 runs in his four over burst.

Irfan Jr. also took two expensive wickets conceding 44 runs in his four over spell as United were dismissed inside their 20 over allocation.

Asif Ali was the main run getter for United scoring 34 with the help of four sixes before falling to Tymal Mills.

Chadwick Walton made 21 runs while the United captain Misbahul Haq scored 19 runs.