by Istafa Ali February 17, 2023, 10:59 am inCricket, PSL, Sports

Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings

Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by four wickets in the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) eighth season at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings for the second time at their home stadium, thanks to the efforts of Colin Munro and Azam Khan.

Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings in PSL 2023.
Opting to bowl first, the Shadab Khan-led Islamabad limited Karachi to a target of 174 runs before chasing down the score in 18.2 overs.

While Islamabad was chasing the respectable mark, Munro took charge by smashing 58 runs off of 28 balls, while Azam hammered 44 runs off of 28 balls.

Munro blasted five boundaries and five maximums before being bowled out, after a mix-up between him and Azam.

Fabulous Fifty! Well-deserved for @manuz05 👏🏼#HBLPSL8 I #SabSitarayHumaray l #KKvIU pic.twitter.com/3c139EoTtx

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 16, 2023

Mohammad Amir and Musa Khan provided Karachi early inroads.

The left-arm bowler, Amir, sent Hassan Nawaz (7) packing with a short ball after the young batsman smashed him for a four.

Meanwhile, Musa, who formerly represented Islamabad, got the best of the dangerous hitter Paul Stirling as he scored four runs.

After the two pacers got two fast wickets, captain Imad Wasim bowled Rassie van der Dussen for 31 runs to break the 59-run partnership between the South African and Colin Munro.

Musa and Amir both grabbed two wickets for Karachi, while Imad picked up one.

Previously, Karachi Kings, led by Haider Ali, had imposed a goal of 174 runs on Islamabad United.

With Sharjeel Khan no longer in the lineup, the Karachi Kings were in good shape thanks to Haider’s fifty.

The batsman smashed seven fours and two maximums to score 59 runs off 45 balls. But Faheem Ashraf was able to defeat him.

FIRST #HBLPSL 5️⃣0️⃣ for Haider Ali with @KarachiKingsARY #HBLPSL8 I #SabSitarayHumaray l #KKvIU pic.twitter.com/mQhJMhZxvr

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 16, 2023

The ex-Peshawar Zalmi batsman faced Islamabad’s captain Shadab Khan and smashed him for four boundaries. The all-rounder surrendered 40 runs and went wicketless.

Following Haider’s departure, Wasim struck twice in an over by capturing Matthew Wade’s and Imad Wasim’s wickets.

The Australian batter could manage just 18 runs, while captain Imad, who slammed 80 runs in Karachi’s opener against Peshawar, was sent out for a golden duck. The Islamabad team’s right-arm bowler stymied the Karachi Kings’ attempt to rack up large runs.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik, who scored 18 runs, lost to Rumman Raees.

After a tumultuous start, opener Sharjeel Khan (34) was sent back to the pavilion by Tom Curran.

When veteran bowler Rumman Raees returned to Islamabad United, he promptly got them off to a good start. The left-arm bowler bowled James Vince (4) with a spectacular in-swinging ball on the final wicket of his maiden over.

For Islamabad United, Wasim, Rumman Raees and Curran grabbed two wickets apiece, while Ashraf claimed a scalp.