KARACHI: Sameer Minhas half-century guided Islamabad United to an eight-wicket win over Karachi Kings in the 25th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Islamabad United chased down the 151-run target in 16 overs, largely due to a solid opening partnership. Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway added 93 runs for the opening wicket in the first 10 overs.
Minhas remained the core aggressor and reached his third half-century in PSL 11. Meanwhile, Conway milked the bowlers around. The half-centurion was eventually stumped for 58 from 36 balls, peppered with 10 fours. The second wicket was off Mohammad Faiq, who only made five.
At this stage, Islamabad United 110-2 in 12.3 overs.
With the required rate in control, skipper Shadab Khan and Devon Conway added an unbeaten 43 runs from 21 balls to seal victory for their side. Shadab made a quick-fire 31 off 16, including two sixes and a four, while Conway’s unbeaten half-century featured six fours and a maximum.
For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali and Moeen Ali picked one wicket each.
Earlier, Reeza Hendricks’ fifty guided Karachi Kings to a 150-6 in 20 overs. Asked to bat first, the Kings were jolted early in the form of promoted batter Saad Baig. The left-hander holed out to square leg position after scoring six runs.
Following an early blow, Jason Roy — playing for the first time in PSL 11- built a 62-run partnership with Reeza Hendricks.
Roy batted fluently for his 39 off 27 balls and did not look rusty either. The right-hander struck two sixes and three fours. Meanwhile, Hendricks nudged the bowlers around.
The partnership took the score to 69 in 8.4 overs before Shadab Khan removed Roy, who miscued one and was caught at long-off by Mark Chapman. The third wicket also came in quick time as Salman Ali Agha went back for only four.
With Kings reeling at 77-3, Azam Khan joined hands with Reeza Hendricks and stabilized the innings with a gritty 54-run partnership.
The Kings were ready to go big at the death overs, but Islamabad United’s impressive bowling curtailed the scoring rate. Azam Khan hit a maximum and three fours on his way to 34 from 29, while Hendricks remained unbeaten on 51 off 44 balls, including four boundaries.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan and Richard Gleeson took two wickets each.