KARACHI (Monitoring Desk): Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan’s exceptional outing with the bat and ball helped the side beat Karachi Kings by six wickets in the 10th game of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 on Sunday.
The defending champions chased down the 129-run target over the loss of four wickets in 17.1 overs.
Sahibzada Farhan and Azam Khan opened the innings for the United and provided a steady 34-run start to the side.
Farhan was dismissed by Hasan Ali after scoring 30 off 18 balls. Colin Munro then joined Khan, however, he became the Karachi Kings pacer’s second victim in the same over.
Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan then joined Azam Khan, and the two built a 65-run partnership to put their side in a strong position.
The wicketkeeping batter was castled by Mohammad Nabi after scoring 31 off 30.
Shadab Khan made 47 off 40 and was dismissed when the scores were level in 17 overs.
Mohammad Nawaz remained unbeaten on eight alongside Mohammad Shahzad (0) as Islamabad United chased down the modest total with 17 balls to spare.
Earlier, Abbas Afridi’s late cameo of 24 helped Karachi Kings set a 129-run target for Islamabad United.
The right-arm pacer scored a quickfire 24 off nine balls as Karachi Kings finished at 128/7 in their 20 overs after Islamabad United opted to bowl first at the National Stadium.
Kings were off to a shaky start in their inning as skipper David Warner departed after scoring just three runs.
James Vince was dismissed by Jason Holder on four, leaving the Kings struggling at 22 for two in four overs.
Saad Baig and Tim Seifert then joined hands to steady the ship and stitched a 39-run partnership to take the side to 61.
Saaid Baig fell to Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan after scoring 20 off 17 balls.
Tim Seifert was the next batter to be dismissed after his sluggish 30 off 37 deliveries.
Irfan Khan made five, Khushdil Shah added 17 runs to the total, and Aamer Jamal scored seven runs before getting dismissed.
After 18 overs, Karachi Kings were restricted to 102 for seven when Abbas Afridi took charge and smashed three sixes and a four to help the Kings post 128 on the scoreboard.
For Islamabad United, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Jason Holder took two wickets each.
The defending champions top the table, with three wins from their three games, while Karachi Kings are third on the points table, having won two out of their three games in the ongoing edition.
Playing XIs
Islamabad United: Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan (wk), Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Shadab Khan (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, and Naseem Shah.
Karachi Kings: Tim Seifert (wk), David Warner (c), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Mir Hamza.
The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League will run from April 11 to May 18, consisting of 34 matches from April 11 to May 18, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting 13 matches, including the two Eliminators and the final.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 PSL 10 matches, including the first Qualifier on May 13, while Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five matches.
