PSL 10: Islamabad United crush Karachi Kings by 79 runs

RAWALPINDI: Islamabad United booked their place in the playoffs of Pakistan Super League Season 10 with a thumping 79-run victory over Karachi Kings in the 30th match of the tournament.

Batting first at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Islamabad United piled up a mammoth 251 for 5, thanks to explosive innings from Alex Hales and Sahibzada Farhan. In reply, Karachi Kings were bowled out for 172 in the 19th over.

Caught and bowled!
Khushdil departs. #ApnaXHai | #HBLPSLX I #IUvKK | 🎀 pic.twitter.com/5toqu6eyLl

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 19, 2025

Islamabad United’s top order dominated the early proceedings. Openers Hales and Farhan launched a blistering assault, racing to 150 runs within just 11 overs. Farhan was the first to fall after smashing 73 off 41 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes.

Alex Hales, the star of the innings, continued the onslaught, hammering 88 runs off just 35 deliveries with 8 sixes and 6 fours. Shadab Khan chipped in with a quickfire 41 off 19 balls, while Haider Ali (19\*) and Ben Worrall (10\*) remained unbeaten.

Karachi’s bowling attack struggled throughout. Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal and Khushdil Shah managed to pick up one wicket each.

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Chasing a steep 252-run target, Karachi Kings never looked in control. Captain David Warner top-scored with 43 off 28 balls, hitting 2 sixes and 4 boundaries. Abbas Afridi contributed 34 and Tim Seifert 26, but the rest of the lineup collapsed under pressure.

Islamabad United’s bowlers put in a collective effort, with Shadab Khan taking 4 wickets, Salman Irshad grabbing 3, and Imad Wasim picking up 2. Agha Salman chipped in with a wicket as well.

The emphatic win pushed Islamabad United to fourth place with 10 points from 10 games, while Karachi Kings, despite the defeat, remain second on the table with 12 points from 10 matches. Both teams have now completed their league-stage fixtures.

The two sides have faced off 23 times since the PSL’s inception in 2016, with Islamabad United dominating the head-to-head record with 18 wins to Karachi’s six.

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Salman Irshad and Tymal Mills.

Karachi Kings: David Warner, Tim Seifert, James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza.