Kings hold nerves enroute to five-wicket victory over United

Karachi Kings got their Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 campaign back on track with a resounding five-wicket win over Islamabad United at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Sunday. This was their second win in four games which now leaves them with four points.

Kings chased down 184 runs for a win in the penultimate over of the match courtesy a match winning half-century by Alex Hales and 30’s by Sharjeel Khan, Cameron Delport and captain Imad Wasim.

ALSO READ: Mickey Arthur misses PSL, says Karachi Kings Zindabad

Kings chase got off to the worst possible start when the top-ranked T20I batsman Babar Azam was run-out without facing a ball in the opening over while attempting a quick single. United captain Shadab Khan’s direct throw beat Babar at the batting end which left Kings zero for one.

They were set back on track by a blazing 38 off 20 balls (three fours, four sixes) by Sharjeel who added 58 runs for the second wicket with Alex Hales.

Hales hit three fours and as many sixes in his 52 that came off 30 balls. Delport scored 38 off 28 balls (one four, three sixes) before becoming legendary fast bowler Dale Steyn’s first-ever HBL PSL wicket in what was his maiden appearance for United.

After Hales was dismissed by left-arm-spinner Ahmed Safi, Chadwick Walton 23 not out (17 balls, three fours) and captain Imad Wasim 32 not out (15 balls, two fours, two sixes) saw Kings home with eight balls to spare with an unbroken 48 run sixth wicket partnership.

Faheem Ashraf had a nightmarish match with the ball as he conceded 47 runs in 2.4 overs, with Imad setting the game by depositing him for back-to-back sixes in the 19th over and Walton hitting the match winning boundary of him a run later.

Earlier, Kings opted to field first after winning the toss. United were well served by opener Luke Ronchi who remained unbeaten with 85 off 58 balls. The wicketkeeper-batsman struck nine fours and two sixes in his innings.

Ronchi added 106 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership with Shadab who stroked 54 off 31 balls with the help of four sixes and three fours.

Shadab joined Ronchi at the fall of Colin Ingram’s (16) wicket with United placed at 77 for three at the completion of 10 overs.

Shadab completed his half-century on the last ball of the United innings when he deposited Umaid Asif’s delivery into the stands.

For Kings, left-arm-spinner Umer Khan who dismissed Rizwan Hussain (22) was the pick of the bowlers with figures of one for 24 in four overs.

Scores in brief:

Islamabad United 183 for 3, 20 overs (Luke Ronchi 85 not out, Shadab Khan 54 not out; Umer Khan 1-24, Imad Wasim 1-31)

Karachi Kings 187 for 5, 18.4 overs (Alex Hales 52, Sharjeel Khan 38, Cameron Delport 38; Ahmed Safi 1-21, Rumman Raees 1-27)

Result: Karachi Kings win by five wickets