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Shadab Khan Stars as Islamabad United Clinch Fourth Consecutive Win in PSL 2025
Dominant Performance by Shadab Guides Islamabad United Past Karachi Kings
Islamabad United extended their winning streak in PSL 2025, registering their fourth consecutive victory by defeating Karachi Kings by 6 wickets at the National Stadium, Karachi. The hero of the night was captain Shadab Khan, who showcased his all-round brilliance, claiming 2 wickets and top-scoring with a fluent 47 off 29 balls.
Match Summary: Karachi Kings’ Batting Woes Continue
Early Wickets Hurt Kings’ Foundation
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Karachi Kings faltered early, losing David Warner and James Vince cheaply. The dismissals set them back on a surface that was already tricky to score on, with variable bounce and slow pace.
Although Tim Seifert and Saad Baig attempted to stabilize the innings, scoring was painfully slow. Seifert’s 37-ball stay produced just one boundary before he was caught and bowled by Imad Wasim. The sluggish nature of the pitch made shot-making extremely difficult.
Late Fireworks from Abbas Afridi
The Kings limped to 102/7 by the 18th over, despite contributions from Jason Holder and Naseem Shah, both of whom picked two wickets apiece. It was Abbas Afridi’s late blitz—three sixes and a four—that gave some respectability to the total, pushing the final score to 128/7 in 20 overs. According to Warner, the team was “at least 20 runs short of a fighting total.”
Islamabad United’s Calm and Calculated Chase
Sahibzada Farhan Sets the Tone
Islamabad began their run chase with intent. Sahibzada Farhan attacked early, slamming three consecutive boundaries off Hasan Ali in the second over. His 18-ball 30 gave United the head-start they needed, even as Hasan Ali bounced back with two quick wickets.
Azam and Shadab Take Charge
The momentum was kept alive by the experienced duo of Azam Khan and Shadab Khan, who added a crucial 65-run partnership for the third wicket. The pair played smart cricket—rotating strike efficiently and punishing the bad balls. Shadab was especially aggressive, hammering two sixes off Khushdil Shah and Aamer Jamal in successive overs.
Even though both fell after crossing the 100-run mark, the damage had already been done. Islamabad cruised to 129/4 in 17.1 overs, securing a 7-wicket win with 17 balls to spare.
Captain Shadab’s All-Round Excellence
Shadab Khan’s performance stood out not just for his batting but also for his tight spell of 2 for 17, which broke the backbone of Karachi’s innings. With both bat and ball, he ensured United remained dominant throughout the match.
“Leading from the front is always satisfying, especially when the team is winning consistently,” said Shadab post-match.
Brief Scorecard
Karachi Kings – 128/7 in 20 overs
(Tim Seifert 30, Abbas Afridi 24; Shadab Khan 2-17, Naseem Shah 2-29*)
Islamabad United – 129/4 in 17.1 overs
(Shadab Khan 47, Azam Khan 31; Hasan Ali 2-28)
What’s Next in PSL 2025?
Islamabad United are now strong contenders for the playoffs with four back-to-back wins. Karachi Kings, meanwhile, must regroup and address their top-order inconsistency.
For full PSL 2025 fixtures and standings, visit the official PSL website.
