PSL 2023: Azam Khan’s power hitting sinks Karachi Kings

Islamabad United established a new record for their highest chase in the HBL Pakistan Super League with a stunning victory over Karachi Kings.

Azam Khan’s unbeaten 72 off just 41 balls, which included eight fours and four sixes was the highlight of Islamabad’s innings.

Azam helped chase down Karachi Kings’ 201 with six wickets and four balls to spare.

This was the first time the two-time champions had chased down a target of 200 or more.

Khan joined the fray when Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed in the eighth over, with Islamabad United needing him to showcase his extraordinary repertoire of strokes.

After settling in, Khan went on to stitch a brilliant 125-run partnership with Faheem Ashraf, who played a supporting role with 41 off 32 balls.

Despite Mohammad Amir removing Colin Munro in the first over, Islamabad United had a solid start to the run chase.

Alex Hales smashed 34 off 16 and added 50 runs for the second wicket with van der Dussen before being bowled on the last ball of the Powerplay by Aamer Yamin.

When Tabraiz Shamsi bowled van der Dussen two balls later, it rang alarm bells for Islamabad United.

However, Khan and Ashraf negated the threat cautiously before launching a brilliant counterattack.

Karachi Kings were rescued and then dragged over 200 by another outstanding innings from Imad Wasim, the team’s captain.

He blasted 92 off 54 balls, hitting 11 fours and two sixes.

Imad’s 99 runs partnership with Muhammad Irfan Khan, who scored 30 off 20 balls was the backbone of the innings.

In the process, Imad became only the second batter in the HBL PSL 8 to cross the 300-run mark.

Imad had to walk to the middle with five Powerplay balls remaining as Karachi Kings lost three wickets for 53.

Firing cameos by Tayyab Tahir (19 off eight) and Adam Rossington’s 20 off 16 made sure Karachi Kings scored at a respectable run rate despite the fall of wickets in the first six overs.

Shoaib Malik was the only batter to fall in the middle overs when he was bowled by a beautiful delivery from Faheem that nipped back into the right-hander.

Islamabad United had to wait till the penultimate over for the next wicket, which came off a brilliant acrobatic effort by Hasan Ali at the boundary straight down the ground.

Irfan launched Tom Curran high into the night sky, and the fast bowler caught the ball diving backwards.

But such was his presence of mind that he relayed the catch to van der Dussen before coming into contact with the rope or crossing it.

With this victory, Islamabad United now have four wins from six matches, while Karachi Kings have lost six of their eight matches.

Scores

Karachi Kings 201-5, 20 overs (Imad Wasim 92 not out, Muhammad Irfan Khan 30, Adam Rossington 20; Tom Curran 2-43)

Islamabad United 204-4, 19.2 overs (Azam Khan 72 not out, Faheem Ashraf 41, Alex Hales 34, Rassie van der Dussen 22)

Player of the match – Azam Khan (Islamabad United)