KARACHI, Pakistan: Islamabad United’s bowlers delivered a disciplined and clinical performance to restrict Karachi Kings to a modest total of 128/7 in the 10th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Islamabad United made early breakthroughs, leaving Karachi Kings on the back foot.
The Karachi Kings endured a shaky start as they lost captain David Warner (3) and in-form batter James Vince (4) within the first four overs, with the scoreboard reading a mere 22 runs.
Emerging wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig joined Tim Seifert at the crease, and the pair attempted to stabilise the innings.
They added 39 runs for the third wicket, playing cautiously against Islamabad United’s disciplined bowling attack.
Their brief resistance was broken in the 10th over when Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan dismissed Baig for 20 off 17 balls, which included four boundaries.
Seifert’s stay at the crease was equally short-lived. The New Zealand batter, struggling to find fluency, was dismissed in the 13th over by Imad Wasim for a slow 30 off 37 balls, including just one boundary.
Islamabad United maintained the pressure as Shadab returned to dismiss Mohammad Irfan Khan (5 off 8) in the 16th over.
Naseem Shah followed suit, dismissing Khushdil Shah (17 off 23) with a short-pitched delivery in the next over, leaving Karachi Kings reeling at 102/7.
With the Karachi Kings staring at a collapse, Jason Holder, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, added another scalp to his tally, removing Aamir Jamal with a sharp bouncer in the 18th over.
However, Abbas Afridi’s quickfire cameo of 24 runs off just 9 deliveries, including one four and three sixes, took the Karachi Kings’ total to 128/7 by the end of the innings.
For Islamabad United, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Jason Holder were the standouts, each picking up two wickets, while Imad Wasim chipped in with one.
Islamabad United, who are the only unbeaten side in PSL 10, have been in excellent form, winning all three of their matches.
In contrast, Karachi Kings have had a mixed campaign. After an opening win, they suffered a setback in their second match before bouncing back with a dominant victory over Quetta Gladiators.
Islamabad United Playing XI
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 Playing XI
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.Keywords:
