Islamabad United overpower Karachi Kings to book place in PSL X top two

RAWALPINDI: Explosive half-centuries from Alex Hales and Sahibzada Farhan, followed by a clinical four-wicket haul from captain Shadab Khan, powered Islamabad United to a dominant 79-run triumph over Karachi Kings in the final group match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

This emphatic win not only marked a statement performance from the three-time champions but also secured them a top-two finish on the points table. United will now face Quetta Gladiators in the Qualifier on Wednesday.

Karachi Kings, meanwhile, slipped to third place and will clash with arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in the Eliminator on Thursday.

Chasing a massive 252-run target — or at least 204 to retain second position — the 2020 champions were bowled out for 172 in the 19th over.

Despite a solid opening partnership of 56 between captain David Warner and Tim Seifert, the Kings quickly lost momentum. Seifert departed in the sixth over after scoring 26 off 17 balls, bowled by Salman Irshad.

Warner tried to anchor the chase with brief stands alongside James Vince (8) and Saad Baig (5), but was dismissed by Imad Wasim in the 11th over. The Australian skipper top-scored with 43 off 28 deliveries, including four boundaries and a couple of sixes.

His dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse as Karachi lost five wickets for just 31 runs, stumbling to 114/8 in 13.4 overs.

Lower-order batter Abbas Afridi offered a late spark with a quickfire 34 from 13 balls, smashing two fours and three sixes. He was eventually removed by Irshad in the 17th over, before Irshad struck again in the 19th to dismiss Aamir Jamal and seal an authoritative win for Islamabad.

Shadab Khan led the bowling attack brilliantly, picking up 4/45 in his four overs. Irshad supported well with three wickets, while Imad Wasim claimed two and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with one.

Earlier, David Warner’s decision to bowl first backfired as Islamabad posted a mammoth 251/5 — their highest total this season.

The new opening duo of Hales and Farhan exploded from the start, stitching together a 153-run partnership — equalling the highest stand for Islamabad in PSL history.

Farhan was the first to fall in the 12th over, attempting a scoop shot off Mir Hamza but offering a simple catch to Abbas Afridi. He scored 73 off 41 balls with 12 boundaries and three sixes — his third fifty-plus score in this edition.

Shortly after, Islamabad lost two quick wickets as Rassie van der Dussen (1) and Salman Ali Agha (7) departed, reducing them to 172/3 in the 15th over.

Hales, who was in sensational form, hammered 88 off just 35 balls, laced with six fours and eight towering sixes, before being dismissed by Khushdil Shah.

Captain Shadab then took charge, scoring a blazing 42 before being run out in the final over. His partnership of 38 runs with Haider Ali, who remained unbeaten on 19 off nine balls, helped Islamabad finish strongly.

Among Kings’ bowlers, Aamir Jamal, Khushdil Shah, and Mir Hamza picked up a wicket each.