Islamabad United delivered a clinical performance to defeat Karachi Kings by 79 runs in the final league fixture of HBL PSL X at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, securing second place on the points table and a place in the Qualifier.
Batting first, United posted a formidable 251 for 5 — the third-highest team total in PSL history — on the back of a dominant 153-run opening stand between Alex Hales (88 off 35) and Sahibzada Farhan (73 off 41). Captain Shadab Khan added a quickfire 42 off 19 balls to push United well past the 250 mark.
In response, the Kings made a brisk start through David Warner (43) and Tim Seifert (26), but the chase unraveled rapidly after the powerplay. Shadab led from the front with figures of 4 for 45, while Salman Irshad (3 for 28) and Imad Wasim (2 for 22) kept the pressure on. The Kings were eventually bowled out for 172 in 18.2 overs.
United, who have now beaten Karachi in 10 consecutive PSL encounters, will face Quetta Gladiators in the Qualifier at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday, 21 May.
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