Islamabad United win thriller over Karachi Kings in PSL

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal helped Islamabad United secure their first win in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as he picked up a wicket on his very first ball and struck twice in his last over to restrict Karachi Kings to a paltry 132 in a nail-biting encounter.

Khalid Latif was the top scorer for the United’s team as he scored a patient 29-run off 35 balls.

Chasing a modest target of 133 runs, Kings’ openers Lendl Simmons and James Vince got out cheaply on 1 and 2 runs respectively. Courtesy a brilliant fielding from Asghar Zaidi inflicting the run out. Karachi after three matches have two points. Having lost four quick wickets, Shakib Al Hasan and Iftikhar Ahmed had no choice but to dig in and take the chase deep.

With 10 overs remaining, Karachi Kings needed 81 runs, which they approached the day’s remaining workload in a systematic and orderly fashion but runs were hard to come by, especially with the miserly attitude of the United attack and ground fielding.

Needing seven to win off the final over, Zimbabwean Elton Chigumbura hit Wahab Riaz for four from the second delivery before tail-ender Anwar Ali clipped one between wicketkeeper and first clip to the boundary to secure the three-wicket win.

Whereas, Islamabad United lost their both matches, by 8 wickets in the opening match of PSL against Quetta Gladiators and lost by 24 runs on Friday night against Peshawar Zalmi.

A nine-ball cameo from Mohammad Sami (20 not out) pushed the Islamabad United’s total to 132 for eight in the 20 overs.

Earlier, For Islamabad, some things changed yet others reminded the same. He worked his way through with skipper Shoaib Malik giving him ample support in orthodox defensive fashion. Russell, batting at number five, was out caught and bowled by Usama Mir for just two runs.