Islamabad United extended their impressive run in HBL PSL X, registering their fourth consecutive victory with a commanding six-wicket win over Karachi Kings in a low-scoring encounter at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Sunday night. Skipper Shadab Khan led from the front with a stellar all-round performance, helping his side notch their ninth straight win over the Kings.

By PakPassion Staff (April 20th, 2025)

Chasing a modest target of 129, the in-form Sahibzada Farhan gave United a flying start, smashing 30 off just 18 balls, laced with five fours and a six.

Hasan Ali provided a brief spark for Karachi, dismissing both Farhan and Colin Munro in the fifth over — the latter falling to a sharp in-swinging delivery that rattled his stumps. However, United remained untroubled, as Shadab Khan and Azam Khan stitched together a crucial 65-run stand off 52 balls to take the game away from the hosts.

Although Azam (31 off 30, 3 fours, 1 six) was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi in the 14th over, most of the work was already done. Shadab, who scored a composed 47 off 40 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes), stayed at the crease until the penultimate moment, falling to Mohammad Abbas Afridi with just one run needed for victory.

Earlier, Karachi Kings struggled on a pitch offering variable bounce. Naseem Shah set the tone with a brilliant opening spell, including a beauty to dismiss David Warner.

United’s spinners then applied the squeeze, with Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan tightening the screws in the middle overs. Tim Seifert was the top scorer for Karachi with a sluggish 30 off 37 balls before falling in the 13th over.

Shadab finished with impressive figures of 2 for 17 from his four overs, while pacers Naseem Shah and Jason Holder also chipped in with two wickets apiece, contributing to a disciplined bowling effort.

Karachi's only real spark came late in the innings from No. 9 batter Abbas Afridi, who struck a quickfire 24 not out off just 9 balls, including three sixes and a four, lifting the total to 128-7 from 20 overs.