Pakistan Super League 2023 is nearing its end of the league phase matches. The game between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings held importance for both the teams. Islamabad had a chance to move into the top 3 if they win the game, while Karachi also had a chance to keep their thin hopes of qualification alive.
The story so far โ
Before the game on Friday, Karachi had played 7 games and won just 2 games, while Islamabad had played 5 games and won 3 games. Karachi won the toss and chose to bat first. It ended up being a high scoring contents as Islamabad United won the game in the last over.
Islamabad fielders combine to take an outstanding catch โ
Karachi Kings had found their spark with the bat as they were put Islamabad United bowlers under the sword. Tom Curran was bowling to Irfan Khan and the incident happened in the 1st over of the 19th over.
Khan went straight down the ground and the ball was destined to go for a six. Thatโs when, Hasan Ali flung himself and saved the ball from going for a six. Just as he back palmed the ball, Rassie Van Der Dussen completed the catch.
Catch hai, catch hai! ๐ฎ
โ PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 3, 2023
Excellent work by @RealHa55an! #SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 I #IUvKK pic.twitter.com/gUFCcHnogu
Islamabad United leave Karachi reeling early โ
Ruman Raees got the first wicket for the visiting side when he bowled out Sharjeel Khan for 8. Rossington and Tahir then added 37 runs for the 2nd wicket before Tahir was out for 19. Hasan Ali, got the wicket of Rossington for 20 before it was soon 78/4 when Faheem Ashraf went past the defenses of Shoaib Malik for 12.
Imad Wasim powers Karachi to 201-
Karachi skipper Imad Wasim then took over the mantle of scoring as he added 99 runs for the 5th wicket with Irfan Khan who was out for 30. Matthew Wade was not out on 13 as Imad Wasim top scored with 92 off 54 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes. This helped Karachi reach 201 on the board.
Islamabad lose 3 early wickets โ
Colin Munro scored 5 ball 11 with a four and six before he fell to Mohammad Amir. The 2nd wicket pair of Hales and Van Der Dussen added 50 runs. Hales scored 34 off 16 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Van Der Dussen scored 22 off 20. When the South African fell to Shamsi, Islamabad United were 69/3.
Azam Khan powers Islamabad to an easy win โ
Faheem Ashraf then combined forces with Azam Khan and added 125 runs for the 4th wicket in 70 balls. Ashraf scored 41 before getting dismissed via a run out. Azam Khan then scored 72 off 41 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes, while Asif Ali scored 10 off 2 balls with a four and six. Islamabad won the game by 6 wickets with 4 balls to spare to move into the 3rd place in the table.