KARACHI, Pakistan: Islamabad United continued their unbeaten run in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 with a clinical six-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in the 10th match of the tournament at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 129-run target, the defending champions reached the finish line with 17 balls to spare, thanks to a composed innings from skipper Shadab Khan and a disciplined bowling performance that restricted the Kings to 128/7 earlier in the day.
Islamabad’s chase began with a brisk opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Azam Khan, who added 34 runs before Farhan fell to Hasan Ali for a quickfire 30 off 18 balls, which included five fours and a six.
In the same over, Hasan struck again to dismiss Colin Munro for a run-a-ball four, reducing United to 38/2 inside five overs.
Shadab Khan then joined Azam Khan at the crease and the pair stabilised the innings with a 65-run partnership.
Azam played a steady knock of 31 off 30 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six, before being bowled by Mohammad Nabi in the 14th over.
Islamabad United required only 26 more runs at that point.
Shadab, who top-scored for his side, was dismissed by Abbas Afridi in the 17th over for a sensible 47 off 40 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Nawaz then guided Islamabad United home with an unbeaten eight off 12 balls, scoring the winning run on the first delivery of the 18th over.
Earlier, Islamabad United won the toss and opted to field first. Their bowlers responded with a disciplined performance to keep Karachi Kings in check from the outset.
The Karachi Kings suffered early blows, losing captain David Warner (3) and opener James Vince (4) within the first four overs, with just 22 runs on the board.
Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig and Tim Seifert attempted a recovery, adding 39 runs for the third wicket.
However, Shadab broke the stand by dismissing Baig for 20 in the 10th over.
Seifert followed soon after, scoring a sluggish 30 off 37 balls before falling to Imad Wasim.
The middle order failed to provide momentum, as Shadab removed Mohammad Irfan Khan (5) and Naseem Shah dismissed Khushdil Shah (17) with a sharp short ball.
Jason Holder, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, continued his fine form by removing Aamir Jamal in the 18th over.
Karachi Kings were reeling at 102/7 when Abbas Afridi provided a late flourish, smashing 24 off just nine balls with one four and three sixes to take the total to 128/7.
For Islamabad United, Shadab, Naseem, and Holder claimed two wickets each, while Imad chipped in with one.
With this win, Islamabad United solidified their position at the top of the table, securing their third consecutive win in PSL 10.
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.
