Faheem Ashraf’s bowling brilliance and Shadab Khan’s circumspect 26-ball 34 steered Islamabad United to a five-wicket victory against Karachi Kings in the 24th match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
ISLAMABAD UNITED'S INNINGS
Chasing a target of 150-7, the United swept past the Kings, scoring 151-5 with eight balls to spare.
After losing the openers Colin Munro (9) and Alex Hales (18) earlier, it was captain Shadab Khan who formed a crucial 58-run partnership off 44 deliveries with Salman Ali Agha (33 off 30).
The stand was broken by Blessing Muzarabani when the Zimbabwean pacer removed Agha Salman.
Agha clobbered one boundary and towered six during his cautious knock.
Azam Khan was caught and ball by spinner Zahid Mahmood on 8-ball 9, lacing with one boundary.
Haider Ali (26 off 16) and Faheem Ashraf (12 off 8) remained unbeaten and ensured the home side clinched the victory against the Kings.
For the Kings, Mir Hamza (3-41) spearheaded the bowling attack, scooping up three wickets.
Muzarabani (1-24) bowled with accuracy and picked up the wicket of Salman Ali Agha with a superb economy rate of six per over.
Zahid Mahmood (1–30) took a scalp.
Mohammad Nawaz (0-24) and Hasan Ali (0-31) remained wicketless.
KARACHI KINGS' INNINGS
Earlier, Kings captain Shan Masood continued to struggle with the bat and merely contributed a 12-ball 10 for his side as Faheem Ashraf removed the Kings captain.
The wicket of Masood started the slide, and it went downhill thereafter.
Tim Seifert looked good for his 19-ball 26, lacing with five boundaries before he was perplexed by Faheem Ashraf.
Imad Wasim (1-18) bowled superbly and went on to scoop up the wicket of Shoaib Malik, who could merely score a 6-ball 1.
Mohammad Nawaz scored 3-ball 5, smashing one boundary before Mills removed the former.
West Indian batting giant Kieron Pollard was looking to rebound the Karachi Kings’ innings after an early hiccup against the United.
It was the 58-run partnership between Kieron Pollard and James Vince that provided some sort of impetus to the Kings’ innings before the stand was broken by Mills, who removed Vince on a 27-ball 29.
Pollard scored a 28-ball 39, scoring three boundaries and three sixes before being removed by Hunain Shah.
Irfan Khan Niazi contributed 13-ball 16 to the Kings’ total, whacking one boundary and a six.
Hasan Ali (6) and Mir (4) remained not out for the Kings as the visitors posted 150-7 in 20 overs.
With the exception of Matthew Forde (0-18) and Shadab Khan (0-22), all of the United bowlers filled the wickets’ column.
Tymal Mills (3-34) picked up three wickets.
Faheem Ashraf (2-16) bagged two wickets.
Imad Wasim (1-18) and Hunain Shah (1-36) took a scalp each.
TOSS
Islamabad United have elected to field first against Karachi Kings in the 24th match of the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
The United will look to forget their defeat in the last outing against the Lahore Qalandars. The Kings will look to take advantage of their victory against the Quetta Gladiators and try to find a way to seal a playoff spot.
PLAYER OF MATCH
Faheem Ashraf bagged the player of the match award for bagging two wickets and pouching two catches.
TEAMS
Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Matthew Forde, Hunain Shah, and Tymal Mills
Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nawaz, Hassan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Mir Hamza, and Blessing Muzarabani
