Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets in PSL

KARACHI: Islamabad United moved up to second place in the HBL Pakistan Super League standings after defeating Karachi Kings by eight wickets with four overs remaining at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night.

Karachi, batting first after being sent in on a surface that offered assistance to spinners, managed 150-6 in their 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks top-scored with an unbeaten 51 off 44 balls, hitting four fours, but wickets at regular intervals prevented the home side from building a bigger total.

Saad Baig was dismissed for six after being caught at deep square off Richard Gleeson. Jason Roy then gave Karachi some momentum with 39 off 27 balls, including three fours and two sixes, before Shadab Khan removed him in the ninth over. Roy’s innings included a sweep off Imad Wasim over backward square and a cut through cover.

Hendricks held the innings together as Salman Ali Agha made four and Azam Khan contributed 34 off 29 balls with three fours and a six. Azam was dismissed after Sameer Minhas took a diving catch off Gleeson. Khushdil Shah and Moeen Ali, who scored eight, also fell in quick succession as Karachi’s innings lost momentum after a promising powerplay of 45-1.

Gleeson returned figures of 2-22, while Shadab took 2-28. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain also kept the scoring in check.

United make light work of chase

In reply, Islamabad United put the result beyond serious doubt through a 93-run opening partnership in 10 overs between Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas. Sameer, playing on debut, struck 58 off 36 balls and hit 10 boundaries. His innings featured strokes through the off side and a reverse flick off Adam Zampa before he reached his fifty with a single.

Conway remained unbeaten on 53 off 36 deliveries, with six fours and a six. He rotated the strike effectively and found boundaries regularly as Karachi’s bowlers struggled to apply pressure.

Sameer was eventually stumped off Moeen Ali for 58, and Mohammad Faiq later made five before being caught by Khushdil Shah off Hasan Ali. By that stage, however, the asking rate was well under control.

Shadab then finished the chase in aggressive fashion, remaining not out on 31 from 16 balls. His innings included an inside-out six off Zampa over long-off and two more maximums off Hasan Ali. Conway brought up his half-century with a pull off Abbas Afridi as United completed the chase at 153-2 in 16 overs.

Karachi’s bowling attack was unable to make significant inroads. Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali and Zampa all conceded runs, while the spinners could not contain the flow of boundaries.

The result left Karachi with a third straight defeat, further damaging their campaign, while Islamabad strengthened their position on the table.

Score summary

Karachi Kings 150-6 in 20 overs: Reeza Hendricks 51 not out, Jason Roy 39, Azam Khan 34; Richard Gleeson 2-22, Shadab Khan 2-28.

Islamabad United 153-2 in 16 overs: Sameer Minhas 58, Devon Conway 53 not out, Shadab Khan 31 not out; Moeen Ali 1-14, Hasan Ali 1-29.

Islamabad United won by eight wickets. Sameer Minhas was named man of the match.