HBL PSL 8: Karachi Kings faces second consecutive defeat in mega event

Islamabad United defeated Karachi Kings by 4 wickets in the crucial match of Pakistan Super League Season 8 on Thursday, thanks to the brilliant batting of Colin Munro and Azam Khan and the excellent bowling of Roman Raees. This is the second consecutive defeat of Karachi Kings in the mega event.

Batting first at the National Stadium in Karachi, Karachi Kings scored 173 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs against Islamabad United and gave Islamabad United a target of 174 runs to win.

Islamabad United’s Colin Munro was instrumental in the team’s victory, scoring a brilliant 58 off 28 balls before being run out by Matthew Wade.

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Azam Khan also batted impressively scoring 44 off 28 balls, he was caught out by Hyder Ali off Musa Khan.

Before the pair arrived at the crease, United openers Paul Sterling and Hasan Nawaz headed to the pavilion after scoring only single digits. Sterling scored 4 runs while Nawaz scored only 7 runs before his dismissal.

Rasi van der Dusen, batting at number three, lost his wicket after scoring 31 runs off 25 balls.

Middle-order batsman Faheem Ashraf scored 12 runs but it was Tom Curran who took United over the line with a 3-ball 10, including a huge six that ended the innings and the match.

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim took just one wicket after conceding 19 runs in his four overs. On behalf of Karachi Kings, experienced bowlers Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Musa led the way to the pavilion of two players each.

Earlier, Karachi Kings batsman Haider Ali played an important role in setting his team a huge target of 173 runs against Islamabad United, however Islamabad United easily achieved the target.

Batting first, the Kings suffered an early blow when left-arm bowler Roman Reyes clean bowled James Vince for 4 (3). Opener Sharjeel Khan and Ali put up a partnership of 77 runs. Sharjeel Khan was dismissed for 34 runs off 26 balls.

Matthew Wade and Shoaib Malik lost their respective wickets by scoring 18 and 18 runs respectively. Irfan Khan played aggressively and scored 19 runs, including two sixes.

On behalf of Karachi Kings, Hyder Ali put wonderful storks all around the ground, his innings included 7 fours and 2 sixes. He scored 59 runs off 45 balls.

On behalf of Islamabad United, Ruman Raees dismissed 2 openers by giving 26 runs, while Tom Karan and Mohammad Wasim dismissed two players each.

Karachi Kings, who were at the bottom of the points table last year, and are still at the bottom of the current PSL 8, as the Imad Wasim-led side have lost two of their matches. He lost his first match against Peshawar Zalmi.

Playing XI:

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 Sterling, Colin Munro, Rasi van der Dusen, Hasan Nawaz, Asif Ali, Azam Khan (wicket), Shadab Khan (captain), Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Mohammad Waseer Jr., Roman Raees.