Tag: Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Colin Munro’s quickfire 82 after a combined bowling effort led Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings by seven wickets in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing 166, openers Munro and Alex Hales gave United a flying start to the pursuit with a century-plus partnership.

The left-handed batter dominated the match-defining stand while Hales played an anchoring knock which lasted in the 12th over, bowled by Hasan Ali.

Hales struck seven boundaries on his way to a 35-ball 47.

Meanwhile, Colin Munro stood his ground firm and carried his bat till the 15th over before falling victim to Mohammad Nawaz.

He remained the top-scorer for the United with a 47-ball 82 with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes.

The United then lost another wicket in the pursuit when Tabraiz Shamsi struck in the next over to send Imad Wasim (0) back.

The back-to-back dismissals halted the flow of runs for the United but skipper Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha batted sensibly amid their unbeaten 30-run partnership and steered the two-time champions to an important victory.

Shadab scored a cautious 10 off 11 deliveries while Agha made a 17-ball 25 with the help of two sixes.

For the Kings, Nawaz, Shamsi and Hasan struck out a batter apiece.

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Put into bat first, the Kings registered 165/5 on the board, courtesy of an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership between Pollard and Irfan.

The hosts had an unwanted start to their innings as Imad Wasim dismissed Tim Seifert (8) in the third over with just 17 runs on the board.

Following the early debacle, skipper Shan Masood was joined by Leus du Plooy and the pair briefly bolstered the total.

They added a brisk 40 runs in just five overs before Salman Ali Agha cleaned up du Plooy in the eighth over. He scored 24 off just 15 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.

Kings’ captain Masood attempted to anchor the innings before falling victim to Hunain Shah in the 10th over after scoring 27 off 30 deliveries, laced up with three boundaries.

The Kings then lost two more wickets in quick succession with Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz, six each, perishing cheaply and bringing the hosts down to 89/5 in 13.1 overs.

With half of the batters back into the dugout, Kieron Pollard joined forces with Mohammad Irfan Khan and put together a gutsy partnership.

Their unbeaten stand yielded 76 runs and lifted Karachi Kings to breach the 160-run barrier.

Pollard, the core aggressor of the sixth-wicket stand, top-scored for the Kings with an unbeaten 28-ball 48 which featured two boundaries and a six.

Irfan, on the other hand, played a supportive role with 27 not out off 22 deliveries, hitting four boundaries.

For the United, Imad, Naseem Shah, Agha and Hunain Shah made one scalp each.

READ: Mohammad Amir denies rift with Babar Azam

KARACHI: Colin Munro’s quickfire 82 after a combined bowling effort led Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings by seven wickets in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

IU 169/3 (18.3 Overs)

Hasan bowls the penultimate over

IU 156/3 (18 Overs)

Shamsi bowls his last

IU 149/3 (17 Overs)

Leus du Plooy replaces Nawaz

IU 147/3 (16 Overs)

15.1: It was a half-tracker wide of off, Imad pumps it away off the backfoot and Shan Masood takes a sharp catch.

Shamsi comes back

IU 139/2 (15 Overs)

14.5: Tosses up fuller and it turns back sharply towards middle and off, he was looking to play a late cut and didn’t account for the late turn.

Nawaz bowls his last

IU 130/1 (14 Overs)

Hasan continues

IU 117/1 (13 Overs)

Nawaz again

IU 110/1 (12 Overs)

Hasan comes back

11.3: Shortish cutter and thumped into the surface at leg-stump line, Hales got the toe-end part of the bat and holes out to deep midwicket, Irfan Khan takes the regulation catch.

IU 104/0 (11 Overs)

Nawaz continues

IU 97/0 (10 Overs)

Malik bowls his final over

IU 89/0 (9 Overs)

More spin as Mohammad Nawaz comes into the attack

IU 87/0 (8 Overs)

Tabraiz Shamsi comes on

IU 68/0 (7 Overs)

Mohammad Amir Khan comes into the attack

IU 58/0 (6 Overs)

Malik bowls his third

IU 46/0 (5 Overs)

Hasan Ali comes into the attack

IU 36/0 (4 Overs)

Malik continues

IU  24/0 (3 Overs)

Hamza continues

IU 13/0 (2 Overs)

Shoaib Malik bowls from the other end

IU 10/0 (1 Over)

Alex Hales and Colin Munro open the innings for Islamabad United. Mir Hamza to bowl the first over for Karachi Kings.

KARACHI KINGS vs ISLAMABAD UNITED (2nd INNINGS)

KARACHI: Kieron Pollard and Mohammad Irfan Khan recovered Karachi Kings to a formidable total against Islamabad United in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

KK 165/5 (20 Overs)

Hunain to bowl the final over

KK 145/5 (19 Overs)

Rumman bowls the penultimate over

KK 128/5 (18 Overs)

Naseem bowls his last

KK 117/5 (17 Overs)

Rumman continues

KK 103/5 (16 Overs)

Hunain replaces Naseem

KK 101/5 (15 Overs)

Raees comes back into the attack

KK 94/5 (14 Overs)

13.1: Back of a length, cramped for room, tries to chip it but couldn’t elevate it much and Shadab takes a simple catch.

Naseem comes back

KK 87/4 (13 Overs)

Imad bowls his last

KK 83/4 (12 Overs)

Shadab replaces Hunain

KK 77/4 (11 Overs)

Imad replaces Shadab

10.1: Round the wicket, lobbed up, wicket-to-wicket, Malik leans forward and punches it to short cover, sent back by Pollard. Malik narrowly fails to make his ground, it’s touch and go.

KK 73/3 (10 Overs)

9.5: Rams the out-swinging yorker and Shan exposes his stumps, tries to carve him through covers and ends up making a mess of his stumps.

Hunain Shah into the attack

KK 65/2 (9 Overs)

Shadab continues

KK 58/2 (8 Overs)

7.4: Floated up and it spun sharply after being pitched fuller at the middle. Leus du Plooy shimmies to the leg to work it through but gets beaten completely and the ball knocks his stumps.

Agha replaces Naseem

KK 52/1 (7 Overs)

Shadab Khan comes into the attack

KK 46/1 (6 Overs)

Naseem replaces Rumman

KK 37/1 (5 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha replaces Imad

KK 26/1 (4 Overs)

Rumman Raees comes on

KK 18/1 (3 Overs)

2.4: Imad floated up on a length and gets it to spin away from off, Seifert loses his balance and fails to lay bat on it, Azam Khan removes the bails in a flash.

Imad continues

KK 7/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

KK 7/0 (1 Over)

Shan Masood and Tim Seifert come out to open the innings for Karachi Kings. Imad Wasim to bowl the first over.

KARACHI KINGS vs ISLAMABAD UNITED (1st INNINGS)

LAHORE: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to field first against Karachi Kings in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 20, Islamabad United 16, Karachi Kings 4

READ: Mohammad Amir denies rift with Babar Azam

LAHORE: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to field first against Karachi Kings in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 20, Islamabad United 16, Karachi Kings 4

READ: Mohammad Amir denies rift with Babar Azam

Shan Masood, the captain of the Karachi Kings, has expressed hope that the all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz will perform at his level-best in the upcoming matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

Masood, while talking to the media, stated that Nawaz has yet to perform according to his potential but showed faith in the seasoned all-rounder.

“Mohammad Nawaz has not been able to perform according to his abilities and potential, but he has shown glimpses of his talent,” said Shan Masood.

“We are expecting more from him as an all-rounder, and I am hopeful that he will perform at his best in the upcoming matches,” he added.

Upon being asked about the inclusion of young all-rounder Arafat Minhas, the Karachi Kings captain praised the youngster and stated that he would get a chance according to the situation.

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“Arafat Minhas is a talented player. We select our playing XI according to the conditions and he will get the chance whenever the team need his service.”

The left-handed batter also acknowledged that he could not perform as per the expectations but expressed optimism that he would do better in the upcoming games.

“I am not satisfied with my performance. I am getting good starts but have not been able to capitalize and perform well despite being set at the wicket,” he said.

“But I am positive that I will perform better in the upcoming games and it will be more beneficial for the team.”

Notably, Karachi Kings have won two out of three matches in the PSL 9 and will face Islamabad United today at their home ground in Karachi.

READ: Namibia’s Loftie-Eaton smashes fastest T20I hundred

ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings’ squad on Sunday, reached here to play their remaining league matches before the playoffs during the Rawalpindi-Karachi leg of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

According to the details, the Kings’ squad checked in at Jinnah International Airport before reporting at the team hotel here on Sunday evening.

The 2020 champions will take on two-time champions Islamabad United at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday, February 28 in their first PSL 9 game at home.

The Kings will play two more group-stage matches at home against Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans before travelling to Rawalpindi for as many away matches against Quetta Gladiators and home side Islamabad United.

Karachi Kings’ squad will then return to their hometown, which is slated to host the playoffs and the tournament final on March 18.

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Karachi Kings are placed third in the PSL 9 standings with two victories in three matches.

The former champions had an unwanted start to their campaign as they succumbed to a 55-run defeat against Multan Sultans but got on the winning track by thumping Peshawar Zalmi by seven wickets.

The Kings then edged out arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in a last-ball thriller at the picturesque Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday to taste their second victory in the tournament.

Karachi Kings Squad for HBL PSL 9: Shan Masood (c), Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Nawaz, Tim Siefert/Fawad Ali, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Tabraiz Shamis, Mohammad Amir Khan, Anwar Ali, Arafat Minhas, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Irfan Niazi, Sirajuddin, Saad Baig, and Blessing Muzarabani, Zahid Mehmood, Leus De Plooy, Mohammad Rohid.

READ: Quetta Gladiators provide an update on Sarfaraz Ahmed’s injury

LAHORE: Karachi Kings’ left-arm pace bowler Mir Hamza has attributed the team’s thrilling victory against Lahore Qalandars to the combined team effort.

Karachi Kings edged past Lahore Qalandars in a thrilling Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 clash at Gaddafi Stadium yesterday courtesy of a clinical bowling performance and Kieron Pollard’s blistering half-century.

Mir Hamza, who took the winning single off the last ball, opened up during the post-match press conference about the plan before facing the final ball.

“It was a high-pressure situation but the plan was to not play a lofty shot and go for a ground shot,” said Hamza.

The 31-year-old pacer also commented on the atmosphere at Lahore Qalandar’s home ground, Gaddafi Stadium.

“It is Lahore’s home ground and the crowd was supporting them fully. I enjoyed playing against a full house and performing in such a high-intensity situation,” he expressed.

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Mir Hamza, along with Hasan Ali and Tabraiz Shamsi grabbed two wickets each to restrict Lahore Qalandars to 175-6.

Meanwhile, Pollard and Shoaib Malik were the major contributors with the bat, scoring 58 and 39 respectively.

“Our team effort is the reason for our success as our batters and bowlers are all contributing together. The collective effort has benefited the team,” Hamza remarked.

He also thanked the team management of Karachi Kings for entrusting him with his role as an attacking bowler.

“The management has given me the responsibility to attack, so I am bowling according to my role and trying my best to fulfil the team’s expectations,” he added.

“I would like to give credit to the team management for keeping the environment healthy which brings the best out of every player.”

READ: Australia clinch victory in rain-hit third T20 against New Zealand

LAHORE: Karachi Kings have won the toss and elected to field first against Lahore Qalandars in the tenth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Rassie van der Dussen, Shai Hope (wk), Sikandar Raza, George Linde, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.

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Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Mohammad Akhlaq (wk), James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Irfan Khan Niazi, Daniel Sams, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Tabraiz Shamsi.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 17, Karachi Kings 11, Lahore Qalandars 6

READ: Mohammad Amir comments on his comeback to international cricket

LAHORE: Wicketkeeper batter Muhammad Akhlaq expressed his hope to give his best in the biggest rivalry of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between two former champions Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars.

Akhlaq, while talking to the media at the LCCA Ground here on Friday, commented on the ongoing rough patch of the defending champions’ star-studded bowling attack and revealed his plans to benefit the Kings.

“When bowlers are bowling well, they pose a different pressure. If they are not able to bowl well then we will definitely take advantage of that and will turn Lahore Qalandars’ week points into our plus points,” Akhlaq stated.

The wicketkeeper batter, however, was unfazed by the hype of the biggest rivalry of the HBL PSL and asserted that he would stick to his basics.

“I would go with the same plan, the way I played against Lahore last year. So, I would go with a positive mindset this year too and will do what’s best for the team,” he said.

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Muhammad Akhlaq also opened up on his aggressive approach, the glimpses of which were seen in his blistering 24-run knock against Peshawar Zalmi which featured three boundaries and two sixes.

“An opener should bat with an aggressive approach in the first six overs. And our team’s plan is that the top order should focus on their natural game. I did the same and received a good response,” said Akhlaq.

It is pertinent to mention that the highly-anticipated clash of the PSL 9 takes place on Saturday when Karachi Kings take on arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars at their fort.

Karachi Kings boast a superior head-to-head record against the Qalandars, having won 11 out of 17 matches.

READ: Zalmi end Sultans’ winning streak with first triumph in PSL 9

LAHORE: Karachi Kings’ young middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan on Thursday, revealed his plans to serve Pakistan cricket like his idol Shoaib Malik.

Irfan, while interacting with the media on the sidelines of the Kings’ optional training session at LCCA Cricket Ground here, revealed his admiration for senior teammate Shoaib Malik.

“The number of matches Shoaib bhai played for Pakistan, I want to emulate that. My strive would be to play as many matches. He has lots of experience and is my idol,” said Irfan.

The young batter also shared the experience of sharing the dressing room with senior players like Malik during his second stint with Karachi Kings.

“It [PSL] is the best platform for the youngsters. Those who perform well here soon make their debut for Pakistan,” he said.

“And, it is a good stage where you get to share the dressing with big names like [Kieron] Pollard and Shoaib bhai which gives you a wealth of experience,” he added.

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Irfan Khan then ruled out any difficulty in sharing the dressing room with senior players.

“It is not tough at all because the seniors we have here like Shoaib, Shan, and Hasan Ali, all are supportive. They back us and motivate us to trust our abilities,” Irfan stated.

It is worth mentioning here that Karachi Kings next face arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

The 2020 champions are fourth in the PSL 9 standings with two points in two matches while the hosts had a worrying start to their title defence, having lost their three opening matches on the trot.

Karachi Kings Squad for HBL PSL 9: Shan Masood (c), Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Nawaz, Tim Siefert/Fawad Ali, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Tabraiz Shamis, Mohammad Amir Khan, Anwar Ali, Arafat Minhas, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Irfan Niazi, Sirajuddin, Saad Baig, and Blessing Muzarabani, Zahid Mehmood, Leus De Plooy, Mohammad Rohid.

READ: Wanindu Hasaranga blasts umpire over no-ball decision