In the fourth match of Pakistan’s own cricket league, Pakistan Super League (PSL), Season 8, Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field first. In previous three matches as well anyone winning the toss have constantly elected to field first.
While batting first Karachi kings given target of 174 to Islamabad United to win the match. Haider Ali was the top scorer from Karachi Kings, he scored 59 on 45 balls with the help of 9 boundaries which included 2 sixes. After him the significant runs were of who scored 34 on 26 with the help of 5 boundaries, one of which was a six. Irfan Khan scored 19, Shoaib Malik and Matthew Wade scored 18 each and James Fuller scored 12 while being not out. No one else entered double figures.
From Islamabad United bowling side Rumman Raees, Muhammad Wasim and Tom Curran, all took two wickets each. Faheem Ashraf took 1 wicket while Shadab Khan was not able to take any wicket in his 4 overs, he also given 40 runs on top of it. Tom Curran was most expensive bowler for Islamabad United, as he given 42 runs in his 4 overs.
As the Islamabad United started batting, the two openers from Islamabad United departed very early. Paul Stirling departed after scoring just 4 runs and Muhammad Nawaz after just scoring 7 runs. However, the two next batters Rassie van der Dussen and Colin Munro took Islamabad United well out of troubled waters. In a partnership, both of these added 59 runs to the total. After that Rassie van der Dussen got out after scoring 31 runs on 25 balls when the total of Islamabad United was 80 runs for the loss of three wickets.
While the Colin Munro was on crease, the incoming batter Azam Khan took the helping role very well. Along with Colin Munro, who himself was playing fast, Azam Khan as well played good shots with lots of boundaries. As the total reached 136, Colin Munro got run out, owing to a misunderstanding between him and the Azam Khan. He was on the strikers end, after he played a shot he was not willing to take a run but Azam Khan was already near the strikers’ end, so Munro had no other option then to run. However, him running in response resulted in loss of his wicket. Colin Munro scored 58 runs on just 28 balls.
While the Colin Munro got back to the pavilion, Azam Khan continued great hitting which included lots of boundaries. But not for too long, he also got out after playing 28 balls and scoring good 44 runs on them. After he departed the two batsmen on the crease were Asif Ali and Faheem Ashraf. Islamabad United needed only 22 runs on 23 balls on that point. All the heavy lifting was done by Colin Munro and Azam Khan Already.
Faheem Ashraf soon departed after scoring 12 runs, which included 2 boundaries. New coming batter Tom Curran scored 10 runs on three balls with the help of 1 six and 1 four. He was not out alongside with Asif Ali on the other end when Islamabad United won the match. Islamabad United won by 4 wickets with 10 balls of their innings remaining. Colin Munro was awarded man of the match title and trophy for his 58 runs on 28 balls.
After this victory Islamabad United moved up to second place on PSL 8 points table, while the Karachi Kings moved down to fifth. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, however, Karachi Kings must not be worried at this point as lots more action remains. It was just fourth match of the tournament and all the six teams of tournament have to play each other twice before it comes to playoffs.
Check out the details of PSL 8 schedule and played matches here. If you want to enjoy the matches in person while being at stadiums, you can buy PSL 8 tickets online. Do checkout how to buy PSL 8 tickets online or otherwise if you want to follow all the action from home, you can just turn on your TV or get some help from our guide on how and where to watch live cricket online from Pakistan.