Haider, Imad batting blitz helps United set up title clash with Sultans

Imad Wasim and Haider Ali sent batting powerhouse Islamabad United to their first PSL final since 2018 with a five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator on Saturday.

Imad smashed an unbeaten 59 while Haider bludgeoned five sixes in his 29-ball 52 not out as United chased down Peshawar Zalmi's 186-target with an over to spare after opting to chase.

Zalmi opener Saim Ayub had earlier smashed a robust 73 off 44 to take Zalmi to 185 for 5 in their 20 overs. United captain Shadab Khan figured in all five dismissals, picking up four smart catches in the outfield and also getting the key wicket of Ayub in the 15th over.

United, who won two titles in the first three PSL seasons, including in 2018, will play Multan Sultans in the final on Monday.

Zalmi's three-spinner plan for the first time this season was working well when Ayub (2 for 34) claimed the key wickets of Alex Hales (1) and Agha Salman (5). Left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz bowled Shadab for a duck and Martin Guptill (34) offered a tame catch at mid-on as Islamabad slumped to 50 for 4 in the batting power play.

Azam Khan (22) was bowled by Luke Wood's slower delivery but Imad and Haider then had their match-winning 98-run stand in 8.1 overs.

Needing 35 off the last three overs, Haider smashed Aamer Jamal for two sixes and Imad hit two fours to all but seal the game as the fast bowler conceded 23 runs off six balls.

Earlier, Babar Azam scored 25 to end a memorable season with a total of 569 runs - the most any batter has scored in PSL history - before Shadab plucked a superb catch at mid-off. Ayub and Mohammad Haris (40) fell in successive overs.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah (3 for 30) picked up Babar's wicket in his first spell and dismissed Haris and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in the death overs.