Conway, Sameer power United to a dominant win over Kings
The fourth win from seven games propel United to the second spot with nine points, while Kings trail fifth with six points from as many matches
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas struck fluent half-centuries to propel Islamabad United to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Karachi Kings at the National Stadium on Thursday.
The victory took United to the second spot with nine points from seven matches.
Chasing 151, United reached their target with 24 balls to spare, finishing on 153-2 in just 16 overs. The win was set up by a blistering 93-run opening stand between Conway and Minhas that effectively took the game away from Karachi in the powerplay.
Minhas was the early aggressor, racing to 58 off 36 balls, a knock dominated by ten boundaries. He reached his fifty in just 29 deliveries before being stumped off the bowling of Moeen Ali in the tenth over. Conway anchored the rest of the chase with an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, featuring six fours and a six.
Following the dismissal of Mohammad Faiq (5), captain Shadab Khan joined Conway to finish the job in style. Shadab blasted an unbeaten 31 off 16 balls, including two sixes and a four, as United maintained a run rate of over nine per over throughout the innings.
Earlier, Karachi Kings were restricted to 150-6 after Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan opted to field first.
Karachi’s innings struggled to find momentum after the early loss of Saad Baig for six. Jason Roy provided some spark with 39 off 27 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, before falling to Shadab. Reeza Hendricks played a lone hand for the remainder of the innings, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 51 off 44 balls with four boundaries.
Hendricks found some support from Azam Khan, who contributed a 29-ball 34 with three fours and a six, sharing a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, United’s bowlers remained disciplined. Richard Gleeson was the pick of the attack with 2-22 while Shadab Khan chipped in with 2-28.
Karachi Kings’ bowlers had no answer for United’s top order, with Adam Zampa (0-36) and Mir Hamza (0-24) going wicketless in a disappointing defensive effort for the home side.
Summarised Scores:
Karachi Kings: 150-6 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 51*, Jason Roy 39, Azam Khan 34; Richard Gleeson 2-22, Shadab Khan 2-28, Faheem Ashraf 1-28)
Islamabad United: 153-2 in 16 overs (Sameer Minhas 58, Devon Conway 53*, Shadab Khan 31*; Moeen Ali 1-14, Hasan Ali 1-29)
Result: Islamabad United won by 8 wickets.
Sameer Minhas: Man of the match
