Islamabad United will face off against Karachi Kings in the last league game of PSL 2025 today with a shot at qualifying for the Qualifier 1: here's what they need to do to overtake KK on net run rate and finish in the top two.
The four qualifying teams for the PSL 2025 playoffs were confirmed on Sunday (May 18). Quetta Gladiators will finish on top of the points table with 15 points and play Qualifier 1, while Lahore Qalandars are assured a place in the Eliminator after finishing with 11 points.
The Islamabad vs Karachi game tonight will determine which team will join Quetta in Qualifier 1 and who will join Lahore in the Eliminator. Islamabad are currently fourth with 10 points and a NRR of -0.044 while Karachi are second with 12 points and a NRR of +0.514.
Match 30, Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
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PSL 2025 points table ahead of IU vs KK
| Position | Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | N/R | Points | NRR |
| 1 | Quetta Gladiators | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 15 | +1.393 |
| 2 | Karachi Kings | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 12 | +0.514 |
| 3 | Lahore Qalandars | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 11 | +1.036 |
| 4 | Islamabad United | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -0.044 |
| 5 | Peshawar Zalmi | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 | -0.293 |
| 6 | Multan Sultans | 10 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | -2.449 |
The equation is simple. Islamabad need to win and win big to overtake Karachi's superior net run rate and finish in the top two. Exactly how big do they need to win?
Scenario 1: Islamabad United bat first
For any score between 152 and 219 while batting first, Islamabad United will need to win by a margin of 49 runs or more to overtake Karachi Kings on net run rate. So, if they make 152 in 20 overs, they'll need to restrict Karachi Kings down to 103 or fewer. If Islamabad make 220 or more, they can afford to win by 48 runs and still overtake Karachi.
On the other hand, if Islamabad manage a total between 84 and 151, they will need to ensure a minimum victory margin of 50 runs. For any total below that, they will need to win by 52 runs or more to overtake Karachi.
Scenario 2: Karachi Kings bat first
If Karachi Kings make 200 in 20 overs, Islamabad United will have to chase it down in 14.4 overs (32 or more balls remaining), assuming they make 201 in response. If IU were to reach 206 by hitting a six when on 200, they can afford to take 15.2 overs.
Any target between 143-177 will have to be chased down within 14.3 overs (33 balls remaining or more), while anything between 110 and 142 would have to be gunned down in one fewer delivery – by no more than 14.2 overs.
Of course, these are based on the assumption that the chasing team makes exactly one run more than the setting team. They can afford to take a few extra balls if they go beyond the target with the help of a boundary.
