Azam Khan's 74* trumps Imad’s 92* as Islamabad United overpowers Karachi Kings

Azam Khan remained unbeaten for his 72 and Faheem Ashraf made 41 as Islamabad United easily achieved a target of 202 runs for the loss of four wickets in 19.2 overs set by Karachi Kings  in the 19th match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim Friday continued his rich vein of form as his unbeaten 92 runs off 54 balls led his team to post a mammoth total of 201-5 on the board against Islamabad United.

Imad hit two sixes and 11 boundaries in his whirlwind unbeaten innings.

After electing to bat first, Karachi’s innings start was not impressive as they lost opener Sharjeel Khan in third over with 12 runs on the board. Sharjeel scored eight runs off six that also included a six before he was bowled by Rumman Raees.

After the innings Imad Wasim told the broadcasters: "It's been so long that I haven't performed with the bat. I've worked really hard on it and it paid off. We lost too many wickets so I went in at No. 5. That's my position in the tournament and I wanted to assess the conditions but when I saw the wicket, I knew we needed over 190 [to have a chance to defend]. We wanted to take it deep. We wanted to push ones and twos, hit strong shots and fortunately the shots I hit went for boundaries in the gaps. 200 is a decent score on this wicket. 200 on any wicket is 200. If you don't take wickets, it's hard to stop the batsmen. We need to bowl good lengths, good areas. There is some assistance if you bowl good length, not short of length but good length. I have been performing well all over the world for the last two years so I was very confident before the tournament but I haven't been batting that well so this was the first time I promoted myself and it paid off."

Going around town 🔥#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 I #IUvKK pic.twitter.com/NtiZV5NOvb

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 3, 2023

Adam Rossington took the charge from the other end and hit Rumman three consecutive fours in the same over. Tayab Tahir also started charging at Islamabad bowlers but his stay was short lived. Tayyab hit two sixes in his 8-ball 19 runs innings before being caught by Hassan Ali off Tom Curran.

In the next over, Hassan removed Rossington who was caught by Rassie van der Dussen after scoring 20 runs off 16 balls hitting four boundaries. Karachi were 61-3 after the end of first powerplay. Shoaib Malik was clean bowled by Faheem Ashraf as Karachi were reduced to 78-4. Malik made 12 runs off 11 balls.

As things were looking bleak for Kings, Imad continued his impressive charge against the United bowlers and was ably supported by Irfan Khan Niazi as both put up 99 runs partnership for fifth wicket. Irfan, who was earlier dropped by Shadab Khan, was caught on a superb team effort from Hassan and van der Dussen as Hasan caught him near boundary and sent the ball back to van der Dussen before crossing the boundary.

Catch hai, catch hai! 😮

Excellent work by @RealHa55an! #SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 I #IUvKK pic.twitter.com/gUFCcHnogu

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 3, 2023

Mathew Wade chipped in useful 13 runs off 6 balls hitting two boundaries as Karachi Kings ended their innings for 201-5.