Islamabad win first nailbiter of PSL against Karachi

DUBAI: Despite late heroics by Ravi Bopara, Islamabad United registered their first win in Pakistan Super League (PSL) defeating Karachi Kings by only 2 runs here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The England all-rounder hit a massive six on the penultimate ball of the innings leaving his side with only four more to win but failed to hit the boundary on the last ball of Shane Watson. He scored 32 off 19 balls with two fours and as many sixes.

Imad Wasim made 29, Shakib Al Hasan 20 and Iftikhar Ahmed 19 for Karachi Kings.

Saeed Ajmal took three wickets while Andre Russell, Mohammad Sami and Rumman Raees shared a wicket each for United.

Earlier, Islamabad United batsmen set a target of 133 for Karachi Kings after being restricted to 132 for the loss of 8 wickets in the sixth match of inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 tournament.

No United batsman could capitalise after getting decent starts. Khalid Latif, who was playing his first PSL game, remained top scorer for them with 39 off 35 balls while opener Sharjeel Khan made 28, Shane Watson 13 and Mohammad Sami an unbeaten 20 in only 9 balls.

Billings and Vince threw their wickets away by running themselves out. England all-rounder Ravi Bopara took two wickets while Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Usama Mir shared a wicket each for Kings.

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was also present to support his husband and Karachi Kings skipper Shoaib Malik, who won the toss and invited Islamabad United skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to bat first. 

Kings won their first match against Lahore Qalanadars on Friday but lost to Quetta Gladiators in the second yesterday. United have lost both their matches so far against Gladiators and Shahid Afridi’s Peshawar Zalmi.

Teams

Islamabad United: SR Watson, Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), SW Billings, AD Russell, Imran Khalid, Ashar Zaidi, Saeed Ajmal, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Sami

Karachi Kings: LMP Simmons, JM Vince, Shakib Al Hasan, Shoaib Malik (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, RS Bopara, Imad Wasim, Sohail Tanvir,Mohammad Amir, Usama Mir, Saifullah Bangash