Quetta Gladiators became the first team to seal a spot in playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after beating Karachi Kings by 5 wickets here Saturday. Man of the Match Grant Elliott followed up his 3-25 against Islamabad United on Thursday with a career-best 4-15, restricting Karachi to a below-par 126 for 9. Karachi's captain Shoaib Malik top-scored with 45 as Elliott struck at regular intervals to thwart any momentum Karachi hoped of building. Ahmed Shehzad ensured Quetta hit the target without any major worry, as his 27-ball 41 guided the team home inside 19 overs. Karachi kept striking blows at various points, but did not have enough left to defend with, as handy knocks from Kevin Pietersen (26) and Sarfraz Ahmed (29 not out) lifted Quetta to its fifth win of the season. Scores: Karachi 126-9 (Shoaib Malik 45, JM Vince 23; Grant Elliott 4-15). Quetta 127-5 in 18.5 overs (A. Shehzad 41, K. Pietersen 26, Sarfraz Ahmed 29 not out; Usama Mir 2-27). Peshawar takes top spot Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal stroked his third fifty of the PSL, his 58-ball 80 guiding Peshawar Zalmi to a seven-wicket win against Islamabad United in Sharjah Friday. Victory also meant that Peshawar took top spot in the table after five games; defeat for Islamabad left it rooted near the bottom at fourth. Set 153 for victory, Peshawar lost Mohammad Hafeez early after a brisk start, but Tamim almost single-handedly kept the runs flowing, blasting six fours and three sixes during his knock. Two more quick wickets, of Jim Allenby and Kamran Akmal, gave Islamabad a glimmer, but Shahid Yousuf quickly dashed those hopes by slamming a 19-ball 27 and combining with Tamim for a fourth-wicket association which yielded 60 runs, as Peshawar got home with nine balls to spare. Earlier, Islamabad's 152 for 6 had been built on the back of a bright half-century from Khalid Latif, who smoked four sixes during a 41-ball 59. Latif received ample support from Misbahul Haq during a 57-run stand, but the dismissal of Misbah halted Islamabad's charge, as the team struggled to accelerate at the death. Shaun Tait (1 for 18), Mohammad Asghar (2 for 25) and Wahab Riaz (2 for 24) all produced economical spells to ensure that Peshawar's target was a reachable one. Scores: Islamabad United 152-6 (S. Watson 19, S. Khan 28, K. Latif 59, Misbah 32; M. Asghar 2-25, W. Riaz 2-24). Peshawar Zalmi 153 in 18.3 overs (T. Iqbal 80 not out, M. Hafeez 25, S Yousuf 27 not out). — Agencies
