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Karachi Kings edge past Islamabad United in a rain-affected game

by Sandeep Shivam Saturday 18 February 2017

Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 47 in the chase

©REUTERS

Karachi Kings 75-4 (Azam 47no) beat
Islamabad United 90-8 (Smith 29) by eight runs (D/L)
10th match, Pakistan Super League, Sharjah

Babar Azam played a decisive 47-run knock as Karachi Kings sealed a close eight-run win by Duckworth-Lewis in the 10th match of Pakistan Super League in Sharjah against Islamabad United which was hampered by rain.

The game started by 9pm local time after a rain delay reducing the match to 18 overs. Imad Wasim (2-15) struck in his very first over trapping Sam Billings (0) LBW and two overs later, he had Brad Haddin (6) caught and bowled.

With a couple of sixes, Dwayne Smith (29) took Islamabad United to 32 for two at the end of powerplay. With another rain interruption, the game was reduced further to 13 overs.

Smith and Misbah ul Haq (16) struck a six each in the eighth over, to take the total to 48 for two. Usama Mir (2-10) struck twice to remove both the batsmen following which a cameo from Shane Watson (26) took the total to 90 for eight in the allotted 13 overs.

In the chase, Chris Gayle (2) fell in the first over but Azam (47 not out) struck two fours and a six in the second over to get going.

Kumar Sangakkara (2), Shoaib Malik (6) and Ravi Bopara (1) fell cheaply but Azam continued the onslaught and when the score was 75 for four in 9.4 overs, rain returned again with no further action possible but Karachi Kings managed to stay ahead of the D/L total by eight runs. Azam was awarded the player of the match.