United seek to eliminate Kings.

LAHORE -- Islamabad United hope a better record will help them thwart the challenge Karachi Kings pose on their home turf and before their supporters when the two teams meet in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019 Eliminator 1 at the National Stadium today (Thursday).

Thursday's winner will meet the losing side from Wednesday's match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 2 on Friday, with the winner qualifying for the sell-out 17 March final. Islamabad, winners in 2016 and 2018, were equal on points with their rivals in the league phase with 10 in as many games, finished ahead of Karachi on better net run-rate. They also have more balance in their batting and bowling, which earned them two wins against Karachi in this year's event.

On their way to the title in the first edition, Islamabad beat Karachi in the Eliminator by a convincing nine-wicket margin when Brad Haddin (52 not out) and Luke Ronchi (50 not out) help them chase down a modest target of 111 runs. But, Karachi reversed the result in 2017 when the two teams again met in the Eliminator, beating Islamabad by 44 runs at the back of some superb bowling by Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Usama Mir all taking three wickets.

Islamabad again had the better of Karachi in the third edition on their way to the title, winning by eight wickets. Ronchi once again was Karachi's nemesis, by scoring a whirlwind 94. In 2019, Islamabad proved a better batting and bowling unit as they beat Karachi by seven and five wickets, respectively in the two league matches, with Asif Ali benefiting from a dropped catch to plunder a match-winning 70 in Dubai, the 18th match of this season.

However, Islamabad captain Mohammad Sami feels it will be a new match on a new day. 'We have done well in the league phase, but there are no advantages because come Thursday it will be a new match for both the teams,' said Sami, who took a hat-trick against Peshawar Zalmi in the league phase.

Sami leads a strong pace attack, which also comprise Faheem Ashraf (19 wickets) and Rumman Raees (seven wickets), besides the youthful...