Islamabad United Thursday defeated Karachi Kings by four wickets in the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) eighth edition at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
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
Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field first against Karachi Kings at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, as they will be looking to win fifth match in a row against their opposition.
Karachi Kings batting
Opener James Vince failed to make much impact as he was dismissed by Rumman Raees in the first over for just four runs.
But an early wicket did not stop Sharjeel Khan and Haider Ali from playing aggressive shots.
Sharjeel Khan attacked the English bowler Tom Curran in the fifth over and smacked him for two boundaries, a six to help Islamabad United reach 42 runs in five overs.
Haider Ali also assisted him well and the pair brought up the half-century of their partnership.
Karachi Kings looked comfortable at the half way stage as they were 81 for the loss of just one wicket after 10 overs, but in the 11th over Tom Curran dismissed Sharjeel Khan for 34 runs.
Haider Ali reached his fifty, first one for Karachi Kings, off just 38 balls by smashing Shadab Khan for a six and a four in the 12th over.
Karachi Kings reached 100 in the 13th over but soon Faheem Ashraf picked up his first wicket in the 14th over when he dismissed Haider Ali for 59 runs.
Muhammad Wasim Junior struck twice in the 16th over when he sent back Matthew Wade and Imad Wasim back to pavillion on consecutive deliveries.
After losing both fourth and the fifth wicket for 125 runs, Karachi Kings’ hopes of reaching big total were hurt by the opposition.
Irfan Khan smacked two sixes to help Karachi Kings reach 150 in the 19th over but his little cameo also came to an end after scoring 19 runs.
Shoaib Malik scored 18 runs off 10 balls whereas James Fuller added 12 runs off five balls. Karachi Kings ended their innings at 173 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
