KAR VS ISL T20S

Right then, this was a good win for Islamabad United and they are off to a good start in the competition but Karachi Kings have a lot of work to do if they are to get back to winning ways. The action in the 8th edition of the Pakistan Super League will continue on Friday 17th February with Multan Sultans locking horns against Peshawar Zalmi at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. The game will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) but as you are aware, our build-up will begin well in advance. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Shadab Khan the captain of Islamabad United says that they have depth in batting so he is really happy. Mentions that they will try to back their batters even when they have bad games. Adds that the analysis by the team management makes the job easy for him. Claims that everyone is ready to play but the ones who are in the game are in good form. Goes on to say that the players waiting are also ready to perform whenever they are called upon.

Colin Munro is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for scoring 58 runs in 28 balls. He says that it is always nice to start well and get in the zone early. Adds that being aggressive works in his favor and the team has been given the freedom to play this way. Lauds Shadab for his leadership skills and how he backs the players. Closes it out by saying that it was a complete team effort today and he is happy with the win.

Imad Wasim the captain of Karachi Kings says that they batted well in tough conditions and it was the bowlers that let the team down. Adds that they needed to bowl wicket to wicket but they were too quick or too short. Mentions that two games are done now and they need to think further but feels they did well with the bat in this game. Claims that they will get some tweaks to the side in order to get their combination right and once they are able to do that they will win more games.

Time for the presentations...

Azam Khan has a few words to share. He says that he was in good form in BPL and wanted to finish this game but he is happy that the team won. Adds that middling the ball makes him feel nice and he had a responsibility to do well for the side. Mentions that he has a different role in this team. He adds that he plays as a floater sometimes and at times as an accumulator. Closes out by saying that his side plays aggressively right from the word go and he is glad that they are off to an amazing start to the season.

Karachi Kings will be disappointed with their bowling effort as they allowed far too many free runs but to be fair to them the conditions were tough due to the dew. They also dropped a few catches and will need to improve their performance in the field. Muhammad Musa was expensive but claimed two wickets with Mohammad Amir chipping in with two as well. Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers conceding just 19 runs in his four overs and taking one wicket. Haider Ali and Sharjeel Khan got them off to a good start with the bat with the former getting to his half-century but they could not capitalize and were restricted to a much lower score than they would have liked. It was the pace bowlers who claimed all seven wickets for Islamabad United in their bowling effort and the batters completed the job.

A comfortable win for the visitors here as Karachi Kings succumb to their second consecutive loss at home! Islamabad United complete this run chase with 4 wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare and have begun their campaign with a convincing win. They did not get off to the best of starts as they lost their openers pretty early but Rassie van der Dussen and Colin Munro got together and steadied the ship with a 59-run partnership. Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed on 31 runs but Azam Khan came out and did not let the pressure build. Colin Munro gave away his wicket with a silly run out after getting to his half-century and Azam Khan departed on 44 but by then they were in a strong position to win the game. Faheem Ashraf and Tom Curran added the finishing touches to give their title hunt a massive boost.

SIX! Tom Curran smokes this one out of the ground and helps Islamabad United begin their campaign on a positive note! Shoaib Malik floats this one full and outside off. Tom Curran gets his front foot out of the way and deposits this towards deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Shoaib Malik floats this full and just outside off. Asif Ali thumps this towards long off for one.

Bowls this back of a length and outside off. Asif Ali pulls this towards mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Amir angles it across Tom Curran who tries to work it away on the onside but gets this off the thigh pad towards the point for a LEG BYE.

FOUR! Bangs it short and on the batter. Tom Curran is rushed by with one as he gets a top edge and the ball flies away to the third man region over the keeper for a boundary.

Tom Curran walks out now.

OUT! CAUGHT! A sensational catch here by Irfan Khan. Have we found the catch of the tournament already? Irfan Khan dives to his right and plucks a one-handed blinder off the ground. Short ball from Mohammad Amir just outside off. Faheem Ashraf mistimes the pull and it goes flat to mid-wicket where Irfan Khan pulls out a stunning grab. Islamabad United lose their 6th as Faheem Ashraf walks back for 12.

FOUR MORE! Shortish and slower one outside off. Faheem Ashraf opens the bat face and dabs it past the short third fielder for back-to-back boundaries.

FOUR! BANG! Short of a length and wide outside off. Faheem Ashraf hangs back and slaps it over the backward point region as the ball races off the turf toward the ropes for four.