Feb 6, 2022: Islamabad United defeated Karachi Kings by 42 runs to register their third win in the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) currently in swing at the National Stadium Karachi.

After deciding to bat first, Islamabad United had handed a 178-run target to Karachi Kings. The day was a mixed bag for the Karachi skipper, Babar Azam, since he was not able to post an impressive score but set a new record in the PSL as he took three superb catches against Islamabad United.

Babar Azam is now the only non-wicket keeper batsman to have taken 35 catches, leaving Muhammad Nawaz with 33 catches behind.

With a difficult batting track, no United batter could complete 50 runs but every player in their top-order contributed with 30-odd runs to help the team reach 177.

Paul Sterling who is leaving for national duties and has played his last match for the franchise in this edition of the tournament scored 39 runs and along with Alex Hales gave the team a 66-run stand, as the Kings’ bowlers continued to strike in the middle to break the partnership.

Colin Munroe scored 33 and skipper Shadab Khan posted a total of 34. In the end, Azam Khan made a small cameo of 16 off just seven balls. For the Kings, Imad Wasim, Umaid Asif and Usman Shinwari took one wicket each and ended their four-over spell with an economy rate of seven.

The Kings, led by Babar Azam, have suffered five consecutive defeats in this year’s PSL and none of their batters looked remotely like mounting a recovery from the early flurry of wickets that included the dramatic departure of the captain himself.

Shadab Khan was named man of the match for his 4 wicket haul for just 19 runs. He retains his place as the league’s highest wicket taker.

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