Two-time PSL champions Islamabad United settled the scores with Lahore Qalandars, downing them in the second encounter in Abu Dhabi. The brilliant recovery after reeling at 20/5 from Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed - a 123-run partnership - brought them back into the contest. Posting 152 proved enough for Lahore Qalandars whose chase got derailed after openers went back to the dressing room.
Iftikhar Ahmed's quickfire 49-run-knock that was laced with six maximums was another good omen for United. The win last night helped Islamabad United trump Lahore Qalandars as both teams have bagged 10 points, separated by net-run-rate only.
The odds were against United to stage a comeback after the sudden unavailability of their leader of the pace attack Hasan Ali who had to leave the tournament midway because of family concerns. However, Musa Khan stepped up and took three wickets, including the prized scalp of Mohammad Hafeez and he leaked only 18 runs.
Furthermore, the captain Shadab Khan led from the front and snared two batsmen, conceded 14 runs. Fawad Ahmed spun a web around Qalandars' batsmen and picked up two wickets.
Furthermore, the captain Shadab Khan led from the front and snared two batsmen, conceded 14 runs. Fawad Ahmed spun a web around Qalandars' batsmen and picked up two wickets.
The star-studded opening pair of Colin Munro and Usman Khawaja had an ordinary day at the office against Qalandars but before that, they forged a 137-run stand against Quetta Gladiators in an emphatic ten-wicket win. They will be raring to make amends in tomorrow's game against Karachi Kings.
In the last head-to-head, United won the high scoring affair largely owing to the brilliance of Alex Hales - who is not available for the Abu Dhabi leg. Sharjeel Khan's quickfire century went in vain as Islamabad United hurtled to the target with five balls to spare.
Hales calm knock saved United the other day but they were in a pickle when Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir removed Phil Salt and Shadab Khan. Fielding lapses and dropped catches were aplenty in the last game between these two sides.
With the absence of Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Musa Khan will have to take responsibility and they have done fairly well in the absence of proteges. The young pacemen would need to stop Pakistan batting juggernaut Babar Azam to keep Islamabad in the contest.
Babar Azam's was criticized for a slow strike rate in the last game against Multan Sultans. Despite being on the crease till the last ball, his unbeaten 85 didn't help Karachi as he on a rare occasion misread the game and couldn't pace his innings well. It was all too late when he started all guns blazing in the last five overs as the asking rate kept creeping up. Furthermore, Martin Guptil has struggled so far in Asian conditions and a big knock is expected from the marquee New Zealand player.
Spinners have thrived in UAE conditions so far which will bring the likes of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan into the game.
In the last head-to-head, United won the high scoring affair largely owing to the brilliance of Alex Hales - who is not available for the Abu Dhabi leg. Sharjeel Khan's quickfire century went in vain as Islamabad United hurtled to the target with five balls to spare.
Hales calm knock saved United the other day but they were in a pickle when Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir removed Phil Salt and Shadab Khan. Fielding lapses and dropped catches were aplenty in the last game between these two sides.
With the absence of Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Musa Khan will have to take responsibility and they have done fairly well in the absence of proteges. The young pacemen would need to stop Pakistan batting juggernaut Babar Azam to keep Islamabad in the contest.
Babar Azam's was criticized for a slow strike rate in the last game against Multan Sultans. Despite being on the crease till the last ball, his unbeaten 85 didn't help Karachi as he on a rare occasion misread the game and couldn't pace his innings well. It was all too late when he started all guns blazing in the last five overs as the asking rate kept creeping up. Furthermore, Martin Guptil has struggled so far in Asian conditions and a big knock is expected from the marquee New Zealand player.
Spinners have thrived in UAE conditions so far which will bring the likes of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan into the game.
Squads
Karachi Kings Squad
Karachi Kings Squad
Imad Wasim (c), Abbas Afridi, Aamer Yamin, Arshad Iqbal, Babar Azam, Chadwick Walton, Danish Aziz, Martin Guptill, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Haris, Thisara Perera, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmad, Qasim Akram, Sharjeel Khan, Waqas Maqsood, Zeeshan Malik.
Islamabad United
Shadab Khan (c), Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Ali Khan, Akif Javed, Asif Ali, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Tallat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Usman Khawaja, Zafar Gohar, Zeeshan Zameer, Umar Amin, Brandon King.
Islamabad United
Shadab Khan (c), Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Ali Khan, Akif Javed, Asif Ali, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Tallat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Usman Khawaja, Zafar Gohar, Zeeshan Zameer, Umar Amin, Brandon King.
