A disciplined bowling performance followed by a composed innings from Shadab Khan steered Islamabad United to a dominant six-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in the 10th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 129 runs, United comfortably reached the finish line with 17 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.
They began their chase aggressively with Sahibzada Farhan and Azam Khan opening the innings. The pair put on a quick 34-run stand before Farhan was dismissed by Hasan Ali after a fiery knock of 30 off just 18 balls, including five boundaries and a six.
Hasan struck again in the same over, removing Colin Munro for a run-a-ball 4, leaving United at 38/2 in the fifth over.
Skipper Shadab Khan then joined Azam Khan at the crease, and the duo steadied the innings with a crucial 65-run partnership. Their stand laid the foundation for a comfortable chase before Mohammad Nabi bowled out Azam in the 14th over.
Azam contributed a steady 31 off 30 balls, featuring three boundaries and a six, leaving United needing just 26 more runs for victory, which they ultimately achieved with ease.
Shadab, however, had an unfortunate end to his match-winning innings as he was dismissed by Abbas Afridi in the 17th over when United required just one run.
He remained the top-scorer for United with a sensible 47 off 40 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.
The winning run was eventually scored on the first ball of the 18th over by Mohammad Nawaz, who remained unbeaten with eight off 12 balls.
Experienced pacer Hasan Ali was once again the standout bowler for the Kings, picking up two wickets for just 28 runs in his four overs, while Nabi chipped in with one wicket.
Earlier in the match, Islamabad United’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance to restrict Karachi Kings to a below-par total of 128/7.
Karachi Kings endured a shaky start, losing their captain David Warner (3) and in-form batter James Vince (4) within the first four overs, managing only 22 runs on the board.
Emerging wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig then joined Tim Seifert in an attempt to stabilize the innings. The pair added 39 runs for the third wicket, playing cautiously against United’s disciplined bowling attack.
Their brief resistance was broken in the 10th over when Shadab Khan dismissed Baig for 20 off 17 balls, including four boundaries.
Seifert couldn’t hold on for long either, departing in the 13th over to Imad Wasim after a sluggish 30 off 37 balls, which included only one boundary.
United maintained the pressure, with Shadab returning to dismiss Mohammad Irfan Khan (5 off 8) early in the 16th over, followed by Naseem Shah’s short delivery which accounted for Khushdil Shah (17 off 23) in the next over.
Jason Holder, currently the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, then removed Aamir Jamal with a sharp bouncer in the 18th over, leaving Kings struggling at 102/7.
Abbas Afridi then provided a late boost to the Kings’ total, scoring a quickfire 24 off just nine deliveries, including one four and three sixes, to take them to 128/7.
For United, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Jason Holder led the way with two wickets each, while Imad Wasim chipped in with one wicket.
Earlier in the day, Islamabad United won the toss and elected to bowl first against Karachi Kings.
Islamabad United remain the only unbeaten team in PSL 10, topping the league table with three commanding victories. The defending champions are in excellent form and brimming with confidence as they aim to extend their winning streak.
Karachi Kings, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the season — beginning with a win, faltering in their second match, and then bouncing back with a dominant victory over Quetta Gladiators.
Islamabad United have historically dominated this rivalry, winning their last five encounters. Karachi Kings, backed by their home crowd, will be aiming to break this streak and turn the tide in their favor.
Squads: Karachi Kings: David Warner, Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Mir Hamza, Fawad Ali, Riazullah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saad Baig, Mohammad Nabi, Mirza Mamoon, Ben McDermott. Islamabad United: Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Matthew Short, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Ben Dwarshuis, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Andries Gous, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Irshad, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood, Rassie van der Dussen, Riley Meredith, Sam Billings.
