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PSL: Kings, United vie for a bout against Zalmi
Islamabad United captain Misbah-ul-Haq talks to Rameez Raja during toss. — Photo courtesy: PCB
DUBAI: Karachi Kings and Islamabad United vie for a bout against Peshawar Zalmi in the 2nd Qualifying Final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
United, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, has found a finisher in last-minute entrant Azhar Mahmood who came into the side after hard-hitting Australian opening batsman Shane Watson was ruled out of the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with abdominal injury on February 13.
Kings, on the other hand, face a mountainous task under a new captain Ravi Bopara after Shoaib Malik stepped down from the role in a surprising move a day ago.
The Karachi side have had a poor campaign throughout the league, winning just two out of their eight matches, and only got through to the next round on a better head-to-head record against Lahore Qalandars.
On Friday, a jam-packed Dubai stadium witnessed a thrilling finish to Pakistan Super League's (PSL) 1st Qualifying Final as Quetta Gladiators sealed a sensational one-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi.
Aizaz Cheema overcame a horror start to his night to win the game for his team as he successfully defended eight runs required off the last over.
The winner of today's game will face the Shahid Afridi-led Peshawar side in the 3rd Qualifying Final on February 21.
Squads
Karachi Kings: Bilawal Bhatti, Ravi Bopara (captain), Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nauman Anwar, Saifullah Bangash (wicketkeeper), Shahzaib Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Lendll Simmons, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Usama Mir, James Vince and Riki Wessels.
Islamabad United: Amad Butt, Ashar Zaidi, Asif Ali, Azhar Mahmood, Samuel Badree, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Imran Khalid, Kamran Ghulam, Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Andre Russell, Saeed Ajmal, Sharjeel Khan, Dwayne Smith and Umar Amin.
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Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field
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