Usman Khan Shinwari defended five runs in the last over as Karachi Kings defeated Quetta Gladiator by a run to qualify for the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season four in National Stadium Karachi on Sunday.
Shinwari, who conceded 22 in 17th over of the game, came on to bowl the final over of the innings when the Gladiators needed five runs with Ahmed Shehzad and Anwar Ali present on the crease. He claimed three wickets including the prize wicket of Ahmed Shehzad, who scored 99, to seal the victory for the Kings.
The victory marked the end of Lahore Qalandar's run in this edition of the league. However they will face Multan Sultans at the same venue on Monday.
Chasing the huge total of 191, the Galadiators went off to a flying start. Shane Watson and Shehzad posted 68-run partnership for the first wicket.
When things were getting out of hand for the Kings, captain Imad Wasim bought his trump card, Umer Khan. The 19-year-old left-arm spinner immediately made his presence felt as he removed Watson (20) on his third delivery.
It did not take him long to get on the wickets sheet once again, as he bowled wider to get the prize wicket of Rilee Rossouw. The former South Africa batsman was stumped after scoring 10 runs. The teenager almost got rid of Shehzad in his third over of the spell, but the stumping chance was missed by wicketkeeper Ben Dunk.
At this stage, Umar Akmal and Shehzad took over the proceedings of the game and bought the Gradiators back in the hunt. However Khan once again proved to be flawless in the crucial stages of the game as he broke the key partnership between the duo by sending Akmal back to the hut. Akmal scored 27 runs with the help of three towering sixes. Khan finished his magnificent spell with figures of three for 26.
However, Shehzad, who scored third half-century in a row, continued to take the Gladiators score board ticking. He made a crucial stand with Dwayne Bravo.
Shehzad was eventually dismissed for 99 in the last over of the Gladiators innings when he tried to clear long off. He smacked eight boundaries and six maximums in his entertaining knock. Gladiators scored 189-7 in their 20 overs.
Shinwari and Khan shared three wickets each for the winning side.
Earlier, the Kings posted 190 runs on the score board thanks to a brilliant innings by Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed after losing the toss.
The home side had a great start as Azam and Colin Munro posted 69 for the first wicket. New Zealand International eventually departed after scoring 30 runs.
However, Azam continued to play anchors role in the innings. He completed his half-century with the help of a maximum and six boundaries.
Karachi Kings opener was dismissed by young pacer Mohammad Hasnain, who claimed two wickets in the game for the losing side. The Kings vice-captain Colin Ingram played a cameo of 24 runs while Dunk added 18 to the total.
At one stage, it looked seemingly impossible that the Kings would reach 170 runs mark, but Ahmed stood up to the task as he smashed an unbeaten 44 runs of just 18 deliveries. His knock included five boundaries and two sixes which helped Karachi Kings reach 190-run mark on the loss of five wickets.
Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Nawaz and Fawad Ahmed claimed a wicket each for the Gladiators.
Karachi Kings will play their final game against Peshawar Zalmi on Monday.