Islamabad United produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Karachi Kings by eight wickets at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Thursday, extending their remarkable head-to-head dominance over the hosts to 11 consecutive victories since February 2021.
United climbed to second place on the HBL PSL 11 points table with four wins from five matches, while Karachi Kings slipped to fifth after a third straight defeat at home.
United Bowlers Set the Platform
Put in to bat, Karachi Kings never quite found their rhythm. Saad Baig fell early to Richard Gleeson, and although Jason Roy provided a timely spark, the innings never gathered the momentum the Kings desperately needed.
Roy’s 39 off 27 balls briefly threatened to push the total beyond reach. He struck three fours and two sixes, including a flat six over cover that was arguably the shot of the evening. However, Shadab Khan proved to be the difference. The United captain, bowling leg-spin with renewed confidence this tournament, drew Roy into a mistimed shot in the 9th over before removing Salman Agha two overs later. At 77 for 3, the Kings were already in damage-limitation mode.
Reeza Hendricks fought hard throughout, finishing unbeaten on 51 off 44 balls, but he found little support. A 54-run partnership with Azam Khan offered some hope, yet United’s bowlers maintained their discipline. The last five overs produced only 30 runs, restricting the Kings to 150 for 6. Gleeson finished with 2 for 22 and Shadab with 2 for 28.
The fielding efforts were equally sharp. Sameer Minhas took a brilliant diving catch in the outfield to dismiss Azam, and then combined with Mark Chapman on a stunning relay catch to send Khushdil Shah packing for just two.
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Minhas and Conway Demolish the Chase
United’s openers wasted no time. Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway attacked from the very first over, putting 67 runs on the board inside the powerplay alone. Minhas was particularly severe on the Kings’ bowling, taking apart Khushdil Shah for four fours in a single over and hitting Pakistan T20 captain Salman Agha out of the attack within his first over.
The opening stand produced 93 runs before Moeen Ali finally dismissed Minhas in the 13th over. By then, the game was already settled. Minhas finished with a superb 58 off 36 balls, striking 10 fours and two sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Conway, meanwhile, remained composed and controlled throughout. He finished unbeaten on 53 off 36 balls, bringing up his half-century off the last ball of the match with a nudge to midwicket. Shadab then came in and played a delightful 31 not out off 16 balls, including a six over cover off Adam Zampa, to seal the chase with four overs remaining.
Kings Fading at the Wrong Time
United reached 153 for 2 in just 16 overs, completing an eight-wicket win with 24 balls to spare. Karachi Kings, who won all three of their matches during the Lahore leg, have now lost all three games back on home soil.
The contrast between these two sides could not be sharper right now. United are hitting their stride at the right stage of the tournament, while Kings continue to fade when it matters most.
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