Munro, Iftikhar stun hapless Karachi in HBL PSL 6

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Islamabad United’s batsmen Colin Munro and Iftikhar Ahmed stunned a hapless Karachi Kings’ side on the way to an emphatic eight-wicket victory during their Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six encounter in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. 

Chasing a mammoth target of 191 runs, Islamabad United were off to a cautious start as openers Usman Khawaja and Colin Munro found run scoring tough. 

Pacer Abbas Afridi removed Usman Khawaja, caught by Arshad Iqbal, after the batsman had scored 12 runs off 16 balls. 

Pacer Waqas Maqsood then bowled wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Akhlaq (one off two) as Islamabad United found themselves in trouble with a mountain of runs ahead. 

Batsman Iftikhar Ahmed then joined Colin Munro and the duo put on an unbeaten 150-run partnership off 80 balls that secured the match for their side with eight wickets to spare. 

Colin Munro remained unbeaten on 88 runs off 56 balls while Iftikhar Ahmed ended on an unbeaten 71-knock off just 39 balls. 

Pacers Abbas Afridi and Waqas Maqsood picked up a wicket apiece for their side. 

Earlier, after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Karachi Kings’ openers Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam got their side to a breezy start. 

Pacer Akif Javed, however, removed Sharjeel Khan, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Akhlaq after scoring 25 runs off 17 balls ensuring that the explosive batsman could not do a lot of damage. 

Pacer Mohammad Wasim then bowled batsman Martin Guptill after he had scored just six runs off four balls. 

Najibullah Zadran then joined skipper Babar Azam in the middle for a monumental 117-run partnership off 69 balls. 

The two batsmen took their time to settle down before stepping on the peddle during the latter part of the innings. 

Pacer Hasan Ali finally removed Babar Azam, caught by fielder Mohammad Wasim, after the batsman had scored 81 runs off 54 balls. 

Veteran all-rounder Thisara Perera got a chance in the final over of the innings and was promptly removed by pacer Ali Khan, caught by fielder Iftikhar Ahmed, for a golden duck while trying to go for the big shot. 

Najibullah Zadran remained unbeaten at the end after scoring 71 runs off 42 balls to propel his side to 190 runs for the loss of four wickets. 

Pacers Akif Javed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim and Ali Khan picked up one wicket apiece for their side. 

Islamabad United have also qualified for the playoffs of the event after today's convincing victory.