DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Opener Chris Gayle finally found his touch while West Indies teammate Kieron Pollard once again had a crucial role with the bat, as Karachi Kings won their second game in as many days, to power into the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League here yesterday.
Their dramatic last-ball victory over Lahore Qalanders on Saturday seemed to give the struggling side the impetus they needed and they mustered another courageous effort to pull off a five-wicket win over Dwayne Smith’s Islamabad United with a ball remaining at the Dubai International Stadium.
The victory was enough to push them above Qalanders into fourth in the five-team standings, to take the final playoff spot.
Set 124 for victory from 15 overs, the left-handed Gayle put his poor form behind him to crack 44 off just 17 deliveries, with the consistent opener Babar Azam hitting 27 and Pollard, an unbeaten 20.
Gayle, with a measly 59 runs from six previous innings, blasted two fours and five sixes as he added 64 for the first wicket with Babar.
His entertaining innings ended when he attempted to heave off-spinner Saeed Ajmal through the leg-side for his fourth straight six of the sixth over but ended up skewing his shot into the safe hands of third man.
Four wickets then fell for 28 runs to leave Kings requiring 32 from the last 24 deliveries but Pollard stroked two boundaries in a 13-ball knock at the end, to see Kings home.
Earlier, Smith top-scored with 49 off 36 balls as Islamabad United managed to get up to 123 for seven off their 15 overs, after they were sent in.
The former Barbados and West Indies opener faced 36 balls and counted seven fours and a six, holding the innings together until he perished in the penultimate over to a brilliant one-handed catch by Pollard off left-arm seamer Usman Khan.
