Ronchi special hands Islamabad berth in final

DUBAI (92 News) – Islamabad United have reached to the final defeating Karachi Kings by eight wickets in the play-off phase of Pakistan Super League at Dubai on Sunday night. Batting first, Karachi Kings set a victory target of 155 for the loss of four wickets in stipulated twenty overs. In reply, Islamabad United achieved the target in 12.3 overs for the loss of two wickets. Luke Ronchi lit up the 'Ring of Fire' to book Islamabad United's final date in Karachi, in the Pakistan Super League on Sunday night. The New Zealander whipped up a sumptuous and unbeaten 94 against the Karachi Kings in the Qualifier at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to launch the inaugural champions into the final. Ronchi made hay, after earning three reprieves, to make a mockery of the Karachi Kings total. It was the Ronchi show all the way as the Karachi Kings had no answer to his onslaught. Ronchi holds the record for the three fastest 50s, with the other two coming in 22 and 23 deliveries against the Lahore Qalandars and the Karachi Kings. Ronchi also perched himself on top of the top runs scorers with 378 runs from 10 fixtures. He would have a chance to swell that in Karachi with the Islamabad United awaiting to know who their opponents will be. Ronchi's top scores so far have been 77 against the Lahore Qalandars, 71 against the Karachi Kings and 58 against the Multan Sultans. The first eliminator match of Pakistan Super League will be played between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Tuesday. The second eliminator match will be played on Wednesday at the same venue. Meanwhile, all preparations have been finalized in Lahore for the knockout phase of Pakistan Super League.   Brief scores: Karachi Kings: 154 for 4 in 20 overs (Colin Ingram 68 not out, Joe Denly 51, Eoin Morgan 21, Mohammad Sami 2-20) lost to Islamabad United: 155 for 2 in 12.3 overs (Luke Ronchi 94 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 29) by 8 wickets.