Pollard’s 39 not enough for Kings

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (CMC):

Kieron Pollard maintained his form in the Pakistan Super League but it was of little help to Karachi Kings, as they suffered their fifth defeat in eight games in a five-wicket defeat to Islamabad United.

The former West Indies white-ball captain top-scored with 39 from 28 balls to help Kings up to 150 for seven at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here yesterday.

But captain Shadab Khan (34) and Agha Salman (33) produced important knocks to inspire Islamabad to their target with eight balls to spare.

The defeat left Kings one from bottom of the six-team league on six points while the victory took Islamabad second but level on nine points with third-placed Quetta Gladiators and fourth-placed Peshawar Zalmi.

Sent in, Kings slumped to 49 for four in the ninth over after seamer Faheem Ashraf (2-19) struck twice but Pollard rescued his side, blasting three fours and three sixes in a 58-run, fifth-wicket stand with England’s James Vince (29).

English left-arm speedster Tymal Mills then wrecked the back end of the innings to finish with three for 34 from four overs, as Kings failed to find momentum when it mattered most.

In reply, Islamabad were reduced to 39 for two in the fifth courtesy of double-strike by left-arm seamer Mir Hanza (3-41) but Shadab and Agha revived the chase in a 58-run, third-wicket stand.

When three wickets tumbled for 18 runs in the space of 19 deliveries, Kings were finding a way back into the contest but Haider Ali belted a 16-ball unbeaten 26 in a 36-run, unbroken sixth-wicket partnership with Faheem Ashraf (12 not out), to propel Islamabad over the line.