PSL 8: Munro, Azam power Islamabad to victory over Karachi

 

The left-handed batter scored a half-century

Colin Munro and Azam Khan powered Islamabad United to a four-gate palm over Karachi lords in the fourth clash of the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League( PSL) at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Thursday.   

Opting to coliseum first, the Shadab Khan-led Islamabad confined Karachi lords to 173 runs before chasing down the target in 18.2 overs.   

During the run-chase, Munro put Islamabad in control after hitting 58 runs off just 28 balls, while Azam smashed 44 runs in the same number of deliveries.   Munro hit five boundaries and four outsides before getting out following a blend-up between him and Azam. 

Mohammad Amir and Musa Khan gave Karachi lords early improvements. The left-arm leader, the Amir, transferred Hassan Nawaz (7) packing with a short delivery after the youthful batter hit him for a four.

Meanwhile, Musa Khan, who preliminarily represented Islamabad, got the better of the dangerous batter Paul Stirling after he scored four runs.

After the two bellwethers claimed two quick lattices, commander Imad Wasim sailed Rassie van der Dussen for 31 runs to break the 59-run cooperation between the South African and Colin Munro. For Karachi, Musa and Amir took two lattices, while Imad claimed one.

Before, Haider Ali starred as Karachi lords set Islamabad United a 174-run target. Haider completed his half-century to put Karachi lords in a strong position after losing Sharjeel Khan.   

The batter hit seven fours and two outsides to score 59 runs off 45 balls. But, he fell to Faheem Ashraf.   The former Peshawar Zalmi batter took on Islamabad's commander Shadab Khan, hitting him for boundaries. The all-rounder conceded 40 runs and went wicketless.   

Following Haider's departure, Wasim struck doubly in an over by taking Matthew Wade's and Imad Wasim's lattices.   

The Australian batter could score only 18 runs, while commander Imad, who smashed 80 runs in Karachi's nature against Peshawar, was transferred back for a golden duck. The right-arm leader put a halt to the Karachi lords'  trouble to score big against Islamabad.   

Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik, who scored 18 runs, fell to Rumman Raees.   After a fiery launch, nature Sharjeel Khan (34) was transferred back to the kiosk by Tom Curran.   

To begin proceedings,  educated leader Rumman Raees blazoned his comeback to Islamabad United by giving his side an early advance. The left-arm leader sailed James Vince (4) with an extraordinary swinging delivery on the last coliseum of his first over.   

For Islamabad United, Wasim, Rumman Raees and Curran took two lattices each, while Ashraf claimed a crown. 

Playing XIs: 

Karachi lords James Vince, Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Matthew Wade, Imad Wasim, Imran Khan Niazi, Andrew Tye, James Fuller, Musa Khan, Mohammad Amir  Islamabad United Paul Stirling, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Hassan Nawaz, Asif Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Mohammad Wasir Jr, Rumman Raees.