A clinical bowling performance, followed by a composed chase led by Shadab Khan, powered Islamabad United to a comfortable six-wicket win over Karachi Kings at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night. This marked United’s fourth consecutive win in PSL X and their ninth straight victory over the Kings across seasons.
Chasing a modest target of 129, United made light work of the total, crossing the finish line with 17 balls to spare.
United opener Sahibzada Farhan continued his impressive run of form with a brisk 30 off 18 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and a six. His attacking start ensured Karachi’s bowlers were on the backfoot from the outset.
Hasan Ali provided a glimmer of hope for the home side with a double strike in the fifth over, removing both Farhan and Colin Munro, the latter bowled by a searing in-swinger. But United’s experienced middle order calmly absorbed the pressure.
Shadab Khan and Azam Khan then combined for a steady 65-run stand, steering the chase with maturity. Azam contributed 31 off 30, including a towering six, before falling to Mohammad Nabi. Shadab, however, remained at the crease until the penultimate moment, scoring a match-winning 47 off 40 with five fours and two sixes before being dismissed with just one run needed.
Kings Struggle to Find Rhythm
Batting first, Karachi Kings never looked settled on a pitch offering variable bounce. Naseem Shah struck early with a beauty that removed David Warner, and United’s spinners Shadab and Imad Wasim kept the scoring rate under check in the middle overs.
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