Kamran Akmal's blistering half century propelled 2017 winner Peshawar Zalmi to its third straight Pakistan Super League final with a convincing 48-run victory over defending champion Islamabad United on Friday.
Peshawar will take on Quetta Gladiators on Sunday in a repeat of the final two years ago.
A minute's silence was observed before the start of eliminator 2 in memory of those who died in deadly attacks on two mosques in New Zealand earlier on Friday. Players and officials also wore black armbands during the match at a packed 32,000-capacity National Stadium.
Darren Sammy, center, facing camera, joins other players and officials of Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi to observe a minute silence at National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, March 15, 2019 in memory of those who died in a deadly attacks on mosques in New Zealand. Islamabad plays Peshawar in Pakistan Super League eliminator 2. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani condemned the incident and said in a statement it was "cowardly, uncivilized and inhuman terrorist attacks on the innocent worshippers in Christchurch mosques."
Akmal smashed 74 off 43 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, as Peshawar finished with an imposing 214-5 after Islamabad won the toss and elected to field.
Akmal paired with young Imam-ul-Haq, who made 58 off 33 balls, for a strong 135-run opening stand before both were dismissed by part-time seamer Cameron Delport (2-24) in the 13th over. Captain Darren Sammy provided a perfect finish by smashing 30 off 15 balls.
Imam-ul-Haq hugs his partner Kamran Akmal of Peshawar Zalmi for his fifty against Islamabad United, during the Pakistan Super League playoff at National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, March 15, 2019. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Chadwick Walton then scored 48 off 29 balls as Islamabad was restricted to 166-9 after losing all its big hitters by the 12th over.
Peshawar's Hasan Ali, the PSL's top wicket-taker, bowled with lot of pace in claiming 3-29. He accounted for the key wickets of Islamabad's Cameron Delport (28), Hussain Talat (19) and Luke Ronchi (17). Chris Jordan of England also took 3-26 including the wicket of his countryman Alex Hales, who could score only 1.
Islamabad's Rumman Raees conceded 48 off his four overs without taking a wicket. Shadab Khan also gave away 46 runs for one wicket as Akmal hit the leg spinner for two sixes and two fours in one over.
Imam-ul-Haq of Peshawar Zalmi hits a boundary against Islamabad United, during the Pakistan Super League playoff at National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, March 15, 2019. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
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Kamran Akmal of Peshawar Zalmi hits a boundary against Islamabad United, during the Pakistan Super League playoff at National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, March 15, 2019. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)