- Alex Hales and Sahibzada Farhan hit blazing half-centuries; Shadab bags four-fer
- Fans can book tickets online at pcb.tcs.com.pk; Points table is available here
- The official nomenclature of the tournament is HBL PSL X; Media houses are advised to use the correct nomenclature in all texts, headlines and bulletins
Rawalpindi, 19 May 2025: Islamabad United rode on blistering performances of Alex Hales, Sahibzada Farhan and Shadab Khan as they beat Karachi Kings by 79 runs to finish second on the points table sealing the all-important Qualifier berth here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday night in the last league fixture of the HBL PSL X.
Shadab’s United became only the third team in HBL PSL history to breach the 250-run mark besides Quetta Gladiators (2023 & 2025) and Multan Sultans (2023) as they defended their 251-run total restricting the Kings to 172 all out in 18.2 overs. This was also United’s 10th consecutive triumph against Kings.
Hales (88, 35b, 6x4s, 8x6s) and Sahibzada (73, 41b, 9x4s, 3x6s) set the tone for the victory with 153-run opening stand in just 11.3 overs before United’s spin trio of Shadab (4-45), Imad Wasim (2-22) and Salman Ali Agha (1-9) accounted for combined figures of 7-76 in nine overs.
After United were invited to bat first in the 30th HBL PSL X match, which was also observed as breast cancer awareness day, Hales and Sahibzada hit the ground running by collecting 76 runs in the Powerplay with the help of 12 fours and three sixes.
The destructive duo further underlined their dominance with the bat when Sahibzada brought up his half-century off 28 balls, while Hales brought up his seventh HBL PSL half-century off just 23 balls.
At the halfway mark, the defending champions had racked up 130 runs as Aamir Jamal was consigned for the most expensive over (24 runs) of the innings.
Mir Hamza provided Karachi the much-needed breakthrough as he removed Sahibzada, which followed the quick wickets of Rassie van der Dussen and Salman Ali Agha for single-digit scores. Hales’, who also broke into the list of top-five foreign batters with most HBL PSL runs – 1268, fell prey to Khushdil Shah in the 17th over.
That Islamabad were able to ransack 71 runs off the last five overs was largely due to Shadab’s three sixes and as many fours in a magnificent 19-ball 42, while Haider Ali (19 not out, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) and Ben Dwarshuis (10 not out 4b, 1x6) also chipped in with the bat.
In turn, David Warner (43, 28b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Tim Seifert (26, 17b, 5x4s) provided the Kings with 56-run start in 5.2 overs before Salman Irshad castled the latter. With James Vince’s departure at 80-1 in 8.1 overs, Kings batting faltered as they lost 34-7 in the next 5.3 overs.
Warner’s outfit needed to score at least 204 to finish second on the table but they could only manage 172 all out after slipping to 114-8 in 13.4 overs. No.10 batter Mohammad Abbas Afridi’s 13-ball 34 including two fours and three sixes wasn’t enough as he fell to Salman Irshad, who returned figures of 3.2-0-28-3.
Scores in brief
Match 30: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by 79 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Islamabad United 251-5, 20 overs (Alex Hales 88, Sahibzada Farhan 73, Shadab Khan 42, Haider Ali 19 not out; Mir Hamza 1-41)
Karachi Kings 172 all out, 18.2 overs (David Warner 43, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 34, Tim Seifert 26; Shadab Khan 4-45, Salman Irshad 3-28, Imad Wasim 2-22)
Player of the match – Alex Hales (Islamabad United)
Next fixture – Qualifier on Wednesday, 21 May: Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 7.30pm PKT
