Karachi Kings defeated Quetta Gladiators in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The Kings recorded a much-needed victory as a loss today could have all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs which will begin on March 14 in Karachi.
All teams have played at least seven matches in PSL 9 so far and here are the qualification scenarios for each one.
Multan Sultans: Qualified for the playoffs.
Quetta Gladiators: The 2019 PSL winners sit on the second position with 9 points from seven matches. Their next matches are against Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. While a win in either match could be enough to qualify, the Gladiators would need a win at least to successfully make their way to the final four.
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam’s side sits on the third position with 9 points from eight matches. Courtesy of their negative net run rate (NRR), the 2017 PSL winners require a win but winning both of their upcoming matches will allow them to secure qualification.
Islamabad United: The two-time PSL winners have played seven matches so far and managed to gain as many points. Their positive NRR helps them to remain hopeful of qualifying for the playoffs as a win in two of their next three matches, one of them being against Kings, would book their place in the eliminators.
Karachi Kings: Things are not too easy for the Kings. They have three more matches to play. Not only do they need to win them all, but they also require Islamabad to lose two of their remaining three matches as a one-point difference and United’s positive NRR poses a threat to them.
Lahore Qalandars: Despite having just 1 point from seven matches, all hope is not lost for Shaheen Afridi’s troops. However, as there is a tiny bit of hope, things aren’t too easy. Lahore have three more matches, not only do they need to win them with massive margins, but they also require Karachi and Islamabad to lose their remaining matches.