Islamabad United delivered a dominant all-round performance, fueled by explosive contributions from Alex Hales, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shadab Khan, to thrash Karachi Kings by 79 runs and secure second place on the HBL PSL X points table. The emphatic win at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday night—also the final league match of the season—earned United a spot in the all-important Qualifier.

By PakPassion Staff (May 20th, 2025)

Shadab’s side etched their name into the record books by becoming only the third team in HBL PSL history to post a total of over 250, joining Quetta Gladiators (2023 & 2025) and Multan Sultans (2023). United’s imposing 251-run total proved too much for the Kings, who were bowled out for 172 in 18.2 overs. The victory also marked United’s 10th consecutive win over Karachi.

Hales blazed his way to 88 off just 35 balls (6 fours, 8 sixes), while Sahibzada struck a fluent 73 off 41 (9 fours, 3 sixes) as the pair laid a powerful foundation with a 153-run opening stand in only 11.3 overs. United’s spinners then took center stage—Shadab (4-45), Imad Wasim (2-22), and Salman Ali Agha (1-9)—combining for 7 wickets in 9 overs, conceding just 76 runs.

Opting to bowl first in the 30th match of HBL PSL X—also observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Day—Karachi found themselves under pressure immediately as Hales and Sahibzada raced to 76 in the Powerplay, hammering 12 boundaries and three sixes. Sahibzada reached his fifty off 28 balls, followed by Hales bringing up his seventh HBL PSL half-century in only 23 balls.

By the 10-over mark, the defending champions were cruising at 130. Aamir Jamal suffered the costliest over of the innings, conceding 24 runs. Karachi found some respite as Mir Hamza broke the partnership by removing Sahibzada. Quick wickets followed, including van der Dussen and Salman Ali Agha for single digits. Hales, who entered the top five foreign run-scorers in PSL history (now with 1268 runs), was dismissed by Khushdil Shah in the 17th over.

Still, United finished strong, smashing 71 runs in the final five overs thanks to Shadab’s explosive 42 off 19 (3 sixes, 3 fours), with support from Haider Ali (19* off 9) and Ben Dwarshuis (10* off 4).

In response, the Kings had a promising start as David Warner (43 off 28) and Tim Seifert (26 off 17) put together 56 in 5.2 overs. However, once Salman Irshad bowled Seifert and James Vince departed at 80-1 in the 8th over, the innings unraveled quickly. The Kings collapsed, losing 7 wickets for 34 runs in the next 5.3 overs.

Chasing 204 to move into second place themselves, Karachi fell well short, getting bowled out for 172. A late cameo from No.10 Mohammad Abbas Afridi (34 off 13, 2 fours, 3 sixes) offered brief hope, but Irshad ended the resistance, finishing with 3 wickets for 28 in 3.2 overs.