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RAWALPINDI: An all-round performance led Islamabad United to a resounding win against Karachi Kings in the last league match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a daunting 252-run target, Karachi Kings’ batting unit folded on 172 runs in 18.2 overs.
The victory helped Islamabad United end their losing run and claim the second spot in the PSL 10 points table, tying on 12 points with Karachi Kings, but remaining ahead due to a better Net Run Rate (NRR).
In reply, Karachi Kings openers Tim Seifert and David Warner laid a strong foundation with a blazing 56-run stand.
However, Islamabad United struck on the second ball of the fifth over, removing Seifert for an opening.
Following the wicket, James Vince joined David Warner and forged a brief partnership. The scorecard read 80-1 when United struck again with the prized wicket of James Vince, who went after scoring eight off 10 deliveries.
Karachi Kings could not capitalize on a strong start as Islamabad United tightened the grip in the middle overs. Saad Baig and David Warner were removed in successive overs.
David Warner was removed after scoring a brisk 43 off 28 balls, featuring two sixes and four fours. The Kings were eventually reduced to 101-4 at the end of 11 overs.
The successive wickets triggered a collapse that, Karachi Kings could not recover from. Shadab Khan struck twice in the 12th over to leave them reeling at 107-6.
Nevertheless, with 204 required to seal the second spot, Karachi Kings’ lower order tried hard, but it was not enough. With a score of 114-8 at the end of 14 overs, Aamer Jamal partnered with Abbas Afridi, with a valiant 41-run partnership.
Abbas led the charge with 34 off 13, with the help of three sixes and two fours, while Jamal scored 16. The former was eventually removed in the 17th over as the Kings’ hopes shattered. Ultimately, the whole team was bowled out in the 19th over.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his four overs. Salman Irshad and Imad Wasim bagged two wickets each.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan and Alex Hales’ swashbuckling knocks propelled Islamabad United to a massive total against Karachi Kings
Put into bat first, Islamabad United posted 251 for the loss of the five-wickets in their allocated 20 overs.
The new opening pair of United, Alex Hales and Sahibzada Farhan, set the tone for a big total with a massive 153-run stand in only 11.3 overs.
Hales and Farhan took Karachi Kings’ bowling attack apart as United posted 76-0 in the powerplay. Hales, playing his first match of the season, did not look rusty while Farhan continued his stellar run in the tournament.
Sahibzada Farhan reached his 20th T20 half-century on the penultimate ball of the eighth over with the help of eight fours and a six. On the other end, Hales continued his onslaught.
Islamabad United accumulated 44 runs from the 10th and 11th overs, bringing the score to 150-0. Just when things looked ominous for Karachi Kings, Mir Hamza struck with the ball, removing dangerous Farhan for a well-made 73 off 41 balls, laced with nine fours and three towering sixes.
Meanwhile, Karachi Kings could not stem the flow of runs despite the wickets of Rassie van der Dussen (1) and Agha Salman (7) in successive overs.
Islamabad United were 171-2 when skipper Shadab Khan joined Alex Hales for a brief stand. Hales was eventually dismissed in the 17th over after smashing a 35-ball 88, including six fours and eight sixes.
However, Shadab Khan partnered with Haider Ali to take Islamabad United to a formidable total in the last phase of the innings. Shadab was run out in the penultimate over, scoring 42 off 19, striking at 221.
Islamabad United finished their innings on a high, scoring 251 after amassing 17 in the last over.
For Karachi Kings, Mir Hamza, Khushdil Shah, and Aamer Jamal bagged one wicket each.
PLAYING XIs
Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie Van der Dussen, Salman Ali Agha, Haider Ali, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Shadab Khan (cap), Ben Dwarshuis, Imad Wasim, Salman Irshad, Tymal Mills
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert, James Vince, Saad Baig (wk), Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza
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