Islamabad United Outclass Karachi Kings with Dominant All-Round Display
KARACHI: A disciplined all-round display, highlighted by impactful bowling and composed half-centuries from Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway, powered Islamabad United to a convincing eight-wicket win over Karachi Kings in the 25th fixture of PSL 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a manageable 151, the three-time champions made light work of the target, reaching it with ease in just 16 overs while losing only two wickets.
United’s innings got off to a commanding start as Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway stitched together a 93-run opening stand inside 10 overs. Minhas led the charge with an aggressive 58 off 36 balls, smashing 10 boundaries before being stumped off Moeen Ali at the end of the 10th over.
Soon after, Islamabad lost Mohammad Faiq cheaply for five, dismissed by Hasan Ali in the 13th over. However, Conway found solid support in captain Shadab Khan, and the pair ensured there were no further hiccups.
The duo added an unbeaten 43-run partnership to seal the game comfortably. Conway remained not out on 53 from 36 deliveries, striking six fours and a six, while Shadab provided the finishing touches with a quickfire 31* off just 16 balls, including two sixes and a boundary.
For Karachi Kings, Moeen Ali and Hasan Ali were the only wicket-takers.
Earlier, Islamabad’s decision to bowl first paid off as they restricted Karachi to 150/6 in their 20 overs, despite a fighting effort from Reeza Hendricks.
Karachi’s innings began on a shaky note with Saad Baig falling early after scoring just six runs. Jason Roy and Reeza Hendricks then steadied things with a 62-run partnership for the second wicket. Roy looked in good touch, scoring 39 off 27 balls with three fours and two sixes before departing.
Shadab Khan then struck twice in quick succession, removing Hendricks’ partner Salman Ali Agha and tightening the grip on the innings. Hendricks, however, held firm and built another crucial stand, adding 54 runs with Azam Khan to keep Karachi in the contest.
Hendricks was eventually dismissed in the 18th over after scoring 34, but continued contributions at the backend helped Karachi push past the 150 mark. He finished as the top scorer with a composed unbeaten 51 off 44 deliveries, including four boundaries.
Among the bowlers, Shadab Khan and Richard Gleeson picked up two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain chipped in with one apiece to complete a well-rounded bowling performance.
