PSL 2022 | Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United | Match 14 Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

The 14th match of PSL 2022 will see Karachi Kings square off against Islamabad United at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Wheels are threatening to come off for Karachi as they search desperately for their maiden win of the season. Skipper Babar Azam found form in the last game as he scored an unbeaten 63-ball 90 but the fact that he played out the entire 20 overs but still finished on the losing end of the spectrum was a reflection of his lack of intent for most parts of the innings and the absence of consistent support at the other end.

You won't win a lot of games if one batsman is scoring nearly 54 percent of the total runs and the 2nd best individual score is 31, in this case by Ian Cockbain. Karachi's batting is overwhelmingly dependent on Babar and Sharjeel, and perhaps the killer blow was dealt to their chances at the start of the innings when Shoaib Malik knocked over Khan for a golden duck.

For Karachi to get their campaign back on track, the batting will have to fire collectively plus Babar needs to show more intent, especially during the powerplay. The bowling was well led by Umaid Asif (3/36 in 4 overs) and Imad Wasim (0/30 in 4 overs) and the management will hope that the duo continues the good work against United.

Islamabad United, on the other hand, have had their ups and downs in this campaign so far. They have won and lost an equal number of games after first four fixtures and are placed at the third spot in the points table.

They will come into this game on the back of an 8-run defeat at the hands of Lahore Qalandars. 

Having restricted Qalandars to 9/174 thanks to four-wicket hauls from Waqas Maqsood (4/35 in 4 overs) and Shadab Khan (4/20 in 4 overs), Islamabad faltered in their run-chase despite half-centuries from Colin Munro (60 off 45 deliveries) and skipper Shadab (52 off 32 deliveries) 

Once again, their soft underbelly came back to hurt them as Asif Ali (14 off 12 deliveries) and Azam Khan, who managed 12-ball 10*, failed to finish the game, leaving them 8 runs short of the target.

Islamabad will look to address their chink against a struggling Karach unit, which will be aiming for its maiden win of the season.

Match Details - Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United, PSL 2022

Date: 6th February 2022

Time: 08:00 PM IST

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Broadcast: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, SonyLiV app and website

Pitch Report

The pitch in Karachi is still pretty good for batting but chasing has become difficult in the past week or so. Last 6 games have been won by the side batting first. Both sides will look to bat the opposition out of the game if they win the toss.

Squads:

Karachi Kings:

Babar Azam (c), Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nabi, Joe Clarke, Sharjeel Khan, Aamer Yamin,, Chris Jordan, Lewis Gregory, Umaid Asif, Ian Cockbain, Rohail Nazir, Muhammad Imran, Faisal Akram, Qasim Akram, Talha Ahsan, Tom Lammonby

Islamabad United:

Shadab Khan (c), Colin Munro, Asif Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Athar Mahmood, Marchant de Lange, Danish Aziz, Alex Hales, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Wasim, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Muhammad Musa, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Paul Stirling, Zafar Gohar, Zahir Khan, Zeeshan Zameer

Probable Playing XI:

Karachi Kings:

Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam (c), Sahibzada Farhan,Ian Cockbain, Mohammad Nabi, Lewis Gregory, Mohammad Taha, Aamer Yamin, Imad Wasim, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Imran

Islamabad United:

Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan ©, Azam Khan (WK), Asif Ali, Mubasir Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Waqas Maqsood

CE Fantasy XI:

Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Sharjeel Khan, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan ©, Azam Khan (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood

Captain: Shadab Khan

Vice captain: Sharjeel Khan