Match 19, Rawalpindi, March 03, 2023, 07:30 PM
201/5(20.0ov)
204/4(19.2ov)
Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by 6 wickets
That concludes this game! The action continues as on 4th of this month, Lahore Qalandars will take on Multan Sultans at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the build up. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Shadab Khan says it was a typical Rawalpindi pitch and he believed on their batting till the end. Adds Azam Khan is in great form and as a spinner, it is difficult to bowl to him. Reckons they want to play fearless cricket and failure is a part of the game. Says he sent Faheem Ashraf up the order due to more spinners bowling and get some confidence.
Azam Khan is the Player of the Match. He says it is all about practice which helps him to stay calm. Adds it was a matured innings from him. Reckons he was eyeing to take on Shamsi. Adds Asif Ali can create an impact anytime.
Imad Wasim says 200 was a good score but applauds the performance of Azam Khan and says he took the game away. Adds their bowling has been poor in past few games and says they need to sit and talk about it. Reckons they have failed to execute their plans. Shares it is cricket and life moves on.
...Presentation time...
Earlier, Karachi Kings won the toss and put on a show with the bat. Imad Wasim particularly who in the last phase toyed with the bowlers to score 92 and take his team over 92. However, Azam Khan stole the show to chase it down with ease. It was runs galore at Rawalpindi, more than 400 runs scored.
When a team cannot defend more than 200, you know the bowlers had a very bad day. The pitch was definitely brilliant to bat on but still you feel, the bowlers should atleast make it more difficult but it was not the case. Mohammad Amir, Tabraiz Shamsi, the two experienced campaigners went for too much runs.
Exceptional from Azam Khan! Just exceptional. What a player he is turning out to be! He chased it down like it was a walk in the park for him. Proper T20 knock. Islamabad United were chasing more than 200. You look at their line up and feel someone or the other will definitely turn up. Alex Hales and Colin Munro gave a blistering start but not for long. At one point, Islamabad United were well behind but there was never a time of nervousness in United's dug out. They were certain this will be chased down and it was once again, Azam Khan who came up with a blistering innings to chase it down. Not to forget a valuable cameo from Ashraf.
In over# 20
4
6
Aamer Yamin 42/1(3.2)
19.2
4
FOUR! Ali hits the winning runs! Short and outside off, this is pulled over mid on for a boundary. Islamabad United win by 6 wickets.
19.1
6
SIX! BANG! This is full and on middle. Ali stays back and heaves his first ball out over mid-wicket. 2 needed now.
In over# 19
1W
0
2
6
2
0
Andrew Tye 42/0(4)
18.6
W
OUT! RUN OUT! Ashraf goes! Length ball, outside off. Ashraf slices his shot to deep backward point. The batters are casual with the first run and then Ashraf rushes for the second but Khan was ball watching. Both are stranded on one side and in the end, Ashraf has to sacrifice his wicket. 8 runs needed of the last over.
18.5
.
Too full and outside off. Ashraf fails to jam it out.
18.4
2
This is full and on off, Ashraf works it to covers for a couple.
18.3
6
SIX! SLAMMED! Full toss on the pads, this is heaved over mid-wicket for a biggie.
18.2
2
What is happeneing here? Malik is in serious pain. Length and on middle. Ashraf hits it straight up in the air. Matthew Wade and Shoaib Malik without calling chase the ball near long off. Wade reaches first gets hand on it but Malik runs through him and damages his ankle in the process. A big let off. Malik is still on the ground.
18.1
.
Fuller and outside off, Ashraf fails to get his bat on it.
In over# 18
4
0
1wd
1
1lb
1wd
4lb
0
Mohammad Amir 40/1(4)