Aussie duo out as stars avoid PSL final

Karachi Kings upset defending Pakistan Super League champions Islamabad United by 44 runs in Sharjah on Wednesday as a host of foreign stars refused to travel to violence-plagued Lahore for the final, citing safety fears.

Paceman Mohammad Amir (3-7) and spinners Imad Wasim (3-18) and Usama Mir (3-24) sent Islamabad crashing to 82 all out in 15.2 overs, the lowest total in Pakistan Super League history, as Karachi defended 126.

Opener Asif Ali played a lone hand of 39 as stalwarts like Aussie duo Brad Haddin (0) and Shane Watson (8) as well as Misbah-ul-Haq (13) all failed.

The loss means Haddin and Watson have been spared a decision on whether or not they will travel to Lahore for Sunday's final.

Watson had previously stated that he was undecided as to whether or not he would travel for the final if Islamabad qualified.

Karachi will now meet Peshawar Zalmi in the tournament's last play-off on Friday in Dubai with the winner to take on Quetta Gladiators in the decider.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday decided to still stage the final in the city despite last week's two bomb blasts, which killed 22 people and left over 100 injured.

However, five Quetta players - Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Rilee Rossouw, Tymal Mills and Nathan McCullum - have already refused to go to Pakistan over security fears.

The PCB insist they will be replaced by some other foreign players.

Lahore has been the scene of violence affecting cricketers before. In 2009, Sri Lanka's team bus was attacked by gunmen who killed six policemen.

"It's with a heavy heart I will not be coming to Lahore. I have a young family and for me a game of cricket is just not worth the risk," tweeted 31-year-old Wright.

"I'm sorry as I know how much it means to you all and hopefully in the future the safety will not be in doubt to come play there."

Rossouw - the highest scoring batsman for the Gladiators - also took to Twitter to confirm he would not be playing in the final.

"It's with a sad heart that I must announce that I will not be taking part in the final," tweeted the 27-year-old, who has played over 30 one-day internationals for South Africa.

Players from the Karachi and Peshawar franchises have yet to confirm whether or not they will travel for the final, should they qualify.