Islamabad United has claimed a five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator one of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season seven.
United chased down the 170-run target in the final over to set up an encounter against Lahore Qalandars tomorrow in Eliminator 2. The winner of the match will lock horns against defending champions Multan Sultans on February 27.
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi veterans Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik stood tall after Zalmi was going at a slower rate from the start.
Young sensation Mohammad Haris didn't put on a great show and was dismissed on a score of 12 (8). Yasir Khan also didn't last for long and only managed to score 8.
The 40-year-old Kamran accelerated and registered his first fifty of this year's HBL PSL while Shoaib Malik chipped in around for singles.
United skipper Shadab Khan got rid of Kamran Akmal in the 14th over. Kamran scored 58 off 39 balls, powered by seven fours and two sixes.
Hussain Talat joined Malik in the middle and the left-hander had different ideas. He played a knock of 28 runs off just 15 balls which allowed Zalmi to put pressure on United bowlers.
The duo added a partnership of 56 until Hasan Ali removed Hussain. Malik from the other end took the game till the last and in the process registered his third half-century of the competition. He made 43-ball 55.
Hasan Ali, who missed the last two games due to injury, bagged impressive figures of 3/30. Faheem Ashraf also took one by giving away 15 runs.
In reply, Alex Hales provided a flying start to United. Despite losing Will Jacks (11), they managed to score 53 in the first six overs.
Skipper Shadab came at one down position but couldn't bat for long. Shadab was dismissed by Salman Irshad on the first ball of his spell. He made 17-ball 22.
Alex Hales went on the score a crucial fifty but couldn't prolong his crafty knock. He was yorked by Irshad on the last ball of the 14th over. In the following over, Salman did the same with Asif Ali (7). Salman finished with impressive figures of 3/31.
But Faheem Ashraf and Azam Khan had different ideas as the duo hit some big shots respectively to take United close to the target.
Azam (28) was dismissed on the first ball of the last over by Benny Howell but Liam Dawson finished the proceedings in great style as he hit six and a four to hand United win. Faheem remained not out on 13-ball 19.
United will now lock horns against Lahore Qalandars tomorrow for the place in the final on Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium.