PSL playoff scenario: Multan Sultans qualify, two spots wide open

Multan Sultans have become the latest team to qualify for the playoffs after Karachi Kings defeated Lahore Qalandars in a high-scoring chase in Lahore. They are the second team to do so, joining the table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi in the next stage.

Multan are through

Multan are currently in second place with twelve points and a game to go. This means Multan’s points cannot be surpassed by the fourth-placed team, Hyderabad Kingsmen, who have eight points and two matches left.

Islamabad United’s defeat at the hands of Rawalpindiz and Karachi Kings' win against Lahore have added more drama to the already tricky qualification scenario. Lahore’s win would have promptly stifled the chances of Quetta Gladiators and Karachi. Similarly, Islamabad’s win would have made their path easier.

Qualification scenarios for Islamabad, Hyderabad

For Islamabad to qualify, they will just need to win one of their next two games. Doing so will take them to eleven points, more than what Karachi, Quetta, and Lahore can achieve.

Hyderabad will still have a chance. Ideally, they would need to win both of their final two group-stage games. But if they lose one of those, the scenario becomes trickier. That would involve them beating Rawalpindiz and hoping Lahore and Karachi lose their last group-stage matches against Peshawar and Quetta, respectively.

Can Karachi, Lahore, or Quetta qualify?

For Karachi and Lahore, the equation is somewhat similar. Both have eight points and one game left. They would need to win their final game and then hope one of Islamabad or Hyderabad lose their remaining matches. If both Islamabad and Hyderabad win one game each, then the fourth spot will be decided through Net Run Rate (NRR).

Quetta only have an outside chance of qualifying. For that, they would need to win against Karachi and hope that neither Hyderabad nor Lahore win any of their remaining games.

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