Azam Khan leads Islamabad United to victory in high-scoring thriller against Karachi Kings

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Islamabad United recorded a thrilling six-wicket win over Karachi Kings in the 19th match of the Pakistan Super League 2023 on Friday (March 3). Imad Wasim played a captain’s knock to help the Kings post a big total while batting first but Azam Khan’s 72* off 41 proved enough for United to secure valuable two points.

Imad won the toss and elected to bat with two changes to the Kings’ playing XI at Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Ground. Andrew Tye and Sharjeel Khan came in for the Kings while the United made three changes to their starting eleven with Alex Hales, Mubasir Khan, and Rumman Raeess coming in.

Raees made an instant impact on his return with Sharjeel’s wicket in the third over. Adam Rossington and Tayyab Tahir avoided further slip-ups with a small but crucial 37-run stand for the second wicket. But both batters lost their wickets in the last two powerplay overs to hand away a good start. 

However, Imad and Irfan Khan pulled off a match-defining partnership of 99 runs for the fifth wicket to post a 201/5 total on the scoreboard. Irfan scored 30 off 20 but Imad remained unbeaten as he smashed 92* off 54, his third fifty this season, with the help of 11 fours and two sixes. 

Azam Khan plays the captain’s knock

Colin Munro started the United’s innings with a four and six before getting caught out on Mohammad Amir delivery in the very first over. Alex Hales and in-from Rassie van der Dussen added a quick 50-run partnership for the second wicket to help their side recover from the early blow.

But the United lost both settled batters within a span of nine deliveries which added more pressure on the middle-order batters. But fans witnessed another shift in momentum with Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf dragging the United back in the game with a sensational stand of 124 runs for the fourth wicket.

Faheem scored 41 off 32 while Azam smashed his fifth PSL fifty to chase down the target with six wickets in hand and four balls to spare.

Here is how Twitter is reacting to Karachi Kings’ victory over Islamabad United:

92 runs today for Imad Wasim. This is his highest ever score in a T20 #PSL8 #IUvKK

09:06 PM · Mar 03, 2023

3️⃣2️⃣9️⃣ runs 1️⃣6️⃣4️⃣ batting average 1️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ strike rate 3️⃣ scores of 50+ 2️⃣nd most runs in the tournament Captain @simadwasim has taken #HBLPSL8 by storm 💫 #YehHaiKarachi | #IUvKK

09:11 PM · Mar 03, 2023

Azam Khan is such a destructive player. No total seems insurmountable when he’s batting in this form. Punishing spinners and seamers in equal measure…the attack is relentless and pure entertainment to watch #HBLPSL8

10:43 PM · Mar 03, 2023

The entire crowd chanting “Azam Azam Azam”. Must feel so good to someone who’s been labelled parchi & undeserving since the start of his career. #AzamKhan has richly earned this. 💎

10:31 PM · Mar 03, 2023

Azam Khan, the monster of Pakistan. Islamabad United was 69 for 3 in the 8th over while chasing 202 runs and then Azam Khan smashed 72*(41) to seal the game in the chase.

11:09 PM · Mar 03, 2023

When Islamabad was 80-3 against Karachi, Azam Khan came and scored 44 runs When Islamabad was 71-4 against Quetta, Azam came and scored 97 runs Today Islamabad was 69-3 against Karachi, Azam came and scored 72 runs #KKvIU Imad Wasim #HBLPSL2023 #PSL08 Amir @IsbUnited Rahane #Amir

11:10 PM · Mar 03, 2023