Half-centuries from Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway powered Islamabad United to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a modest 151-run target, Islamabad United comfortably reached the total in just 16 overs, losing only two wickets and finishing the match with four overs to spare.
The foundation of the victory was laid by openers Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway, who stitched together a fluent 93-run partnership in the first 10 overs. Minhas led the charge with an aggressive 58 off 36 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries before being stumped off stand-in captain Moeen Ali on the final ball of the 10th over.
United suffered a brief setback when Mohammad Faiq departed for five in the 13th over, falling to Hasan Ali. However, Conway, who remained composed throughout, was joined by skipper Shadab Khan, and the pair ensured there were no further hiccups.
The duo added an unbeaten 43 runs to guide United home. Conway remained not out on 53 off 36 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Shadab Khan played a brisk cameo of 31 off 16 deliveries, including two sixes and a boundary.
For Karachi Kings, Moeen Ali and Hasan Ali managed to claim one wicket each but failed to prevent a comfortable chase.
Earlier, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan’s decision to field first proved effective as Karachi Kings were restricted to 150-6 in their allotted 20 overs despite a resilient effort from Reeza Hendricks.
Karachi’s innings got off to a shaky start when Saad Baig, promoted to open, was dismissed for six by Richard Gleeson in the second over. Jason Roy and Reeza Hendricks then stabilised the innings with a 62-run stand for the second wicket.
Roy scored a quick 39 off 27 balls, including three fours and two sixes, before Hendricks continued to anchor the innings. Shadab Khan struck twice in quick succession, removing Hendricks’ partner Salman Ali Agha for four and applying pressure on the batting side.
Hendricks later built a crucial 54-run partnership with Azam Khan for the fourth wicket, helping Karachi recover. He remained the top scorer with an unbeaten 51 off 44 deliveries, hitting four boundaries.
Late contributions from Moeen Ali and others pushed Karachi’s total past the 150-run mark, but it proved insufficient against a dominant Islamabad United side.
Richard Gleeson and Shadab Khan led the bowling effort with two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain chipped in with one apiece, capping a disciplined all-round performance by Islamabad United.
