Karachi look to maintain perfect record

Imad Wasim-led side take on Misbahul Haq’s men in Sharjah

KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings are feeling third time lucky as they have maintained a perfect record in their first four matches with three wins and a rain-abandoned draw giving them seven points and a position on the top of the table.

The all-rounder Imad Wasim-led outfit have defeated two-time finalist Quetta Gladiators, second-edition winners Peshawar Zalmi, Brendon McCullum-led Lahore Qalandars in their first three matches.

However, their most anticipated clash with Multan Sultans, the second-best team in the tournament, was washed away from rain, with both teams sharing one point each.

Two of their three victories have come courtesy a bowling line up which boasts the likes of Imad, the captain himself, pacers Tymal Mills, Mohammad Amir, and former Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi.



However, the star for them has again been England all-rounder Ravi Bopara, much like the first two editions.

The 32-year-old has scored 91 runs for the team at average of 91 with the best score of exactly 50 not out.

Islamabad United’s form

First edition winners Islamabad United may have started on the wrong foot, but their Saturday night match against Lahore Qalandars, which went down to the second last ball of the super over, must have given them confidence and hope to look forward.

With youngsters like batsman Hussain Talat and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf standing up whenever the team needed a hero, Islamabad have managed two wins and two defeats in their first four outings.

Some may say they were hurt by the absence of captain Misbahul Haq in the first two matches after he pulled a hamstring, while vice-captain and left-arm pacer Rumman Raees was injured later, but Islamabad will not be looking for excuses.

At the fifth spot, with four points and a huge net run rate difference against as compared to Peshawar Zalmi (with four points), they will be looking to climb up in the table at the expense of Karachi.