Islamabad United seal four-wicket victory over Karachi Kings
Islamabad United sealed a 4-wicket victory over Karachi Kings within the fourth healthy of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) 8th version on the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
Islamabad defeated Karachi Kings — who suffered the second defeat on their home floor — way to the powerful performances of Colin Munro and Azam Khan.
Opting to bowl first, the Shadab Khan-led Islamabad restricted Karachi to a target of 174 runs before chasing down the target in 18.2 overs.
Chasing the decent target, Munro put Islamabad in control after hitting fifty eight runs off just 28 balls, at the same time as Azam smashed a blistering forty four runs off 28 balls.
Munro hit five obstacles and five maximums earlier than being bowled out, following a mix-up between him and Azam.
Mohammad Amir and Musa Khan gave Karachi early breakthroughs.
The left-arm pacer, Amir, despatched Hassan Nawaz (7) packing with a quick transport after the younger batter hit him for a 4.
Meanwhile, Musa, who formerly represented Islamabad, got the higher of the damaging batter Paul Stirling after he scored four runs.
After the two pacers claimed two short wickets, skipper Imad Wasim bowled Rassie van der Dussen for 31 runs to break the fifty nine-run partnership between the South African and Colin Munro.
For Karachi, Musa and Amir took two wickets, while Imad claimed one.
Earlier, Haider Ali starred as Karachi Kings set Islamabad United a 174-run target.
Haider completed his half-century to put Karachi Kings in a strong position after losing Sharjeel Khan.
The batter hit seven fours and two maximums to score 59 runs off 45 balls. But, he fell to Faheem Ashraf.
The former Peshawar Zalmi batter took on Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan, hitting him for boundaries. The all-rounder conceded 40 runs and went wicketless.
Following Haider’s departure, Wasim struck twice in an over by taking Matthew Wade’s and Imad Wasim’s wickets.
The Australian batter could score only 18 runs, while skipper Imad, who smashed 80 runs in Karachi’s opener against Peshawar, was sent back for a golden duck. The right-arm pacer put a halt to the Karachi Kings’ effort to score big against Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik, who scored 18 runs, fell to Rumman Raees.
After a fiery start, opener Sharjeel Khan (34) was sent back to the pavilion by Tom Curran.
To begin proceedings, experienced pacer Rumman Raees announced his comeback to Islamabad United by giving his side an early breakthrough. The left-arm pacer bowled James Vince (4) with an extraordinary in-swinging delivery on the last bowl of his first over.
For Islamabad United, Wasim, Rumman Raees and Curran took two wickets each, while Ashraf claimed a scalp.
Playing XIs
Karachi Kings: James Vince, Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Matthew Wade, Imad Wasim, Imran Khan Niazi, Andrew Tye, James Fuller, Musa Khan, Mohammad Amir
Islamabad United: Paul Stirling, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Hassan Nawaz, Asif Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Mohammad Wasir Jr, Rumman Raees
