Peshawar Zalmi stormed into the 2019 Pakistan Super League’s final with a conclusive 48-run victory against defending champions Islamabad United at the National Stadium of Karachi on Friday.

Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq blasted Peshawar to 135-1 in Eliminator 2, before Kieron Pollard’s 37 runs off 21 balls and skipper Darren Sammy 15-ball 30 helped them close on a formidable 214/5 off their 20 overs. Only Cameron Delport showed any sign of sustained resistance from the holders, finishing with two wickets at the cost of 24 runs.

In response, Islamabad failed to fire and not one of their batsman reached a half century. At the halfway stage, they required a mammoth 125 runs after the likes of Delport and Eliminator 1-hero Alex Hales got out cheaply.

It was then left for Pollard to bowl a sedate final over of an innings in which Islamabad could only reach a disappointing 166/9. Peshawar will now take on Quetta Gladiators in Sunday’s decider.