PSL 2017, Match 10, Review: Karachi Kings register first win in rain marred encounter

The first match of the doubleheader on Friday was washed out after just one innings. The action moved to the second game and the rain gods did not seem to be in a mood to settle down. After long spells of rain, the game between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings finally got underway. The match was initially reduced to 18 overs a side match. The Kings were desperate to get a win under their name as they had lost all their previous matches. Islamabad, on the other hand, were seeking winning momentum from the game.

Coming to the match, the Karachi Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara played with the same overseas combination of Chris Gayle, Ravi Bopara and Kieron Pollard. Islamabad United fielded Sam Billings, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Dwayne Smith in the game as their overseas powerhouses. The Islamabad team had a horrendous start as Sam Billings was dismissed for a golden duck by Imad Wasim in the second over itself.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin joined Dwayne Smith to the crease. Haddin was sent packing by Wasim in his next over on 6 to get Misbah Ul Haq at the crease. Meanwhile, Dwayne Smith clobbered 3 maximums en route his 22-ball 29 before being dismissed by Usama Mir in the 9th over. Misbah struggled for his 25-ball 16 before becoming Mir’s second scalp.

Wickets kept tumbling for the Islamabad side as no batsman could show any resistance. Some power hitting by Shane Watson towards the end saw them post 90/8 in their 13 overs. Watson scored 26 off 14 deliveries with 2 fours and as many sixes. Usama Mir was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/10 in his 3 overs. The rains intervened soon after the innings and the match had to reduced to a 13 over affair yet again.

Also read – PSL 2017, Match 9, Review: Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators called off due to rain

Karachi Kings opening duo of Chris Gayle and Babar Azam came in to bat for the run chase. Gayle’s poor run continued as he was dismissed in the very first over by Mohammad Irfan on 2. Skipper Sangakkara could not do much either and was dismissed on 2 by Irfan in his next over. Shoaib Malik perished in his attempt to accelerate in the last over of the powerplay on 6. Ravi Bopara did not bother the scorers much either before being run out on 1.

Had it not been Babar Azam, the only batsman from Karachi Kings to get into double figures, the match was as good as gone for them. The Kings were placed at 75/4 in 9.4 overs when the rain interrupted one more time. Azam was unbeaten on 47 off 30 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. The DLS par score was 67 and since the rain did not subside, the Kings eked out an 8 run victory.

Brief Scores:

Islamabad United 90/8 in 13 overs (Smith 29, Watson 26, Mir 2/10)

Karachi Kings 75/4 in 9.4 overs (Azam 47, Irfan 2/7)

Karachi Kings won by 8 runs (D/L)