Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan was delighted with his individual performance after his team defeated Karachi Kings comprehensively by 42 runs in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League, which was played at the National Stadium, Karachi on Sunday.
Khan continued his rich form as he scored a quickfire cameo of 19-ball 34 with the help of four fours and one six. Thus, he played a key role in helping his team post a par score of 177 runs after he won the toss and decided to bat first.
Subsequently, he returned with impressive bowling figures of 4-15 in his quota of four overs. Khan accounted for Imad Wasim, Chris Jordan, Lewis Gregory, and Mohammad Taha in his superb spell. Thus, he became the first bowler in PSL history to take four wickets in three consecutive matches, according to statistician Mazher Arshad.
Shadab Khan said in the post-match presentation after he was awarded the Player of the Match, “Last two years I had lots of struggle with injuries and stuff like that. It really feels nice to do well in all the departments. As a captain, you need to lead from the front and glad I am able to do that. The kind of bowlers we have, they are world-class and the plan was to respond well and deliver under pressure. The team is doing well and that really matters the most to me more than my personal milestones”.
In fact, all of Islamabad United’s batters got off to decent starts but none of them could go past the 40-run mark. On the other hand, Waqas Mohammad, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Hasan Ali picked one wicket each for Islamabad United to restrict Karachi Kings at 135. The Babar Azam-led have got off to a horrid start as they have lost all their five matches so far in the tournament.
Islamabad United have got off to a decent start as this was their third win out of their fifth game and thus they will look to build on the winning impetus.
Islamabad United will next face Quetta Gladiators on Saturday at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.