KARACHI: Islamabad United’s Colin Munro and Azam Khan helped their side to a four-wicket victory against the Karachi Kings on Thursday after an impressive bowling performance by Rumman Raees. 

Batting first at the National Stadium in Karachi, Karachi Kings finished at 173-7 against Islamabad United. Chasing the total, United were helped largely by Munro, who scored 58 from 28 balls before he was run-out by Matthew Wade. 

Khan also batted impressively, scoring 44 runs from 28 balls before he was caught by Haider Alii off a Musa Khan delivery. 

Before the pair arrived at the crease, United openers Paul Stirling and Hassan Nawaz headed to the pavilion after only making single-digit scores. Stirling scored 4 runs while Nawaz could only make 7 before he got out. 

Rassie van der Dussen, who batted at number three, lost his wicket after scoring 31 from 25 balls. Faheem Ashraf in the lower order scored 12 but it was Tom Curran who took United across the finishing line by scoring 10 from 3 balls, including the huge six that ended the innings and the match. 

Kings skipper Imad Wasim took only one wicket in his four overs and conceded 19 runs. Experienced bowlers Mohammad Amir and Muhammad Musa bagged two wickets each for the Kings. 

Earlier, Karachi Kings batter Haider Ali helped his team put up a decent score of 173-7 against Islamabad United, a target that the latter’s batters proved was easy to chase. 

The Kings, who were batting first, were dealt an early blow when left-handed bowler Rumman Raees clean-bowled James Vince for 4 (3). Opener Sharjeel Khan and Ali put up a 77-run partnership before Khan departed for 34 (26). 

Matthew Wade and Shoaib Malik were unable to impress with the bat, scoring 18 and 18 respectively while Irfan Khan managed to impress with an aggressive cameo, scoring 19 (that included two sixes as well. 

However, Ali carried on with the bat, hitting an impressive seven boundaries and two massive sixes that enthralled the crowd to no end, who were on their feet and cheering for the aggressive right-handed batter. He scored 59 runs from 45 balls before Faheem Ashraf dismissed him. 

Islamabad United’s bowlers did a good job, with Raees, Tom Curran and Mohammad Wasim Junior picking up two wickets each. Raees was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/26. 

Karachi Kings, which had finished bottom of the points table last years, stay at the bottom without any points as Imad Wasim led side has lost its two matches, its earlier contest lost to Peshawar Zalmi.