Islamabad United defeated Karachi Kings by six wickets during the 19th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday.
While chasing a target of 202 runs, Azam remained not out on 72 runs in 41 balls as Islamabad reached home in 19.2 overs.
After losing Colin Munro, who scored 11 runs in five balls, in the first over, Rassie van der Dussen and Alex Hales added 50 runs in 30 balls for the second wicket to keep United on track during the run-chase.
However, Hales and Dussen fell in quick succession after scoring 34 and 22 runs, respectively, with Islamabad reduced to 69-3 in 7.2 overs.
At this stage, Azam Khan and Faheem Ashraf stitched a brilliant century partnership, 124 runs in 69 balls, to keep Islamabad in control of the run-chase.
Asif Ali smashed a six, followed by a four, to finish off the run-chase in the final over of the innings.
Earlier, Imad Wasim starred as Karachi Kings set Islamabad United a daunting target of 202 runs.
The Karachi skipper smashed the ball to all parts of the ground and remained unbeaten on 92 runs in 54 balls.
After deciding to bat first, Karachi scored 61 runs in the powerplay but lost three wickets in the process.
Sharjeel Khan (8), who was making a comeback in the side, was the first to be dismissed after being cleaned up by Rumman Raees.
Tayyab Tahir was the second Karachi batter to go back to the hut after playing a brief cameo of 19 runs in eight balls. Tom Curran was the successful bowler on this occasion.
Adam Rossington was dismissed after mistiming a slower ball from Hasan Ali. He scored 20 runs in 16 balls.
Veteran batter Shoaib Malik was sent packing by Faheem Ashraf after a ball went in between his bat and pad while trying to play a drive.
At this stage, captain Imad Wasim took control of the innings and added 99 runs, while consuming 56 balls, for the fifth wicket with Irfan Khan. The partnership was broken after a brilliant relay catch near the boundary line, when Hasan Ali went across to his left, while falling over the rope, and flicked the ball out of his hand to Rassie van der Dussen coming across from long-off. The impressive fielding display led to Irfan’s departure, who scored 30 runs in 20 balls.
For Islamabad, Tom Curran claimed two wickets but conceded 43 runs in his four overs.
It must be noted that Karachi had won the toss and decided to bowl first against Islamabad.
Karachi are placed at the fifth position on the points table and desperately needed a win to stay in the race for the playoffs. The Imad Wasim-led unit have only won two of their eight matches, so far, in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Islamabad are in a better position with eight points after six matches. They are currently in third place on the points table, behind Lahore Qalandars (first) and Multan Sultans (second).
Lineups
Islamabad United: Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Hasan Ali, Mubasir Khan, Rumman Raees
Karachi Kings: Matthew Wade, Adam Rossington (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Irfan Khan, Imad Wasim (c), Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Andrew Tye, Tabraiz Shamsi