KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rawalpindiz finally ended their losing streak in the Pakistan Super League 11, securing their first win of the season after eight consecutive defeats with a convincing victory over Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
The long-awaited triumph came through a balanced all-round performance, as the side successfully chased down a target of 138.
Set a modest total, Rawalpindiz reached 138-4 in 18.1 overs despite an early setback. Opener Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for a duck on the very first delivery of the innings, leaving the team under immediate pressure.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam then rebuilt the innings with a composed and calculated approach. The pair added 78 runs for the second wicket, stabilising the chase and shifting momentum in Rawalpindiz’s favour. Ghulam played a fluent knock of 42 off 30 balls, striking five fours and a six before being dismissed by Chris Green.
Rizwan continued to anchor the innings with a steady 45 off 38 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six. His dismissal by Shadab Khan at 92-3 briefly gave Islamabad United an opening. The situation tightened further when Sam Billings was run out for just two runs following sharp fielding.
Daryl Mitchell and Dian Forrester ensured there were no further setbacks, guiding the team home with a calm and controlled finish. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 32 off 25 balls, while Forrester added 13 not out as Rawalpindiz crossed the line comfortably in the 19th over.
Earlier, Islamabad United struggled to build a competitive total after being asked to bat first. Their innings never gathered sustained momentum, and they were bowled out for 137 in 20 overs.
The opening pair of Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas started cautiously, with runs hard to come by during the powerplay. Mohammad Amir broke the stand by dismissing Minhas for 6, while Naseem Shah removed Mohammad Faiq soon after, leaving Islamabad at 29-2.
The pressure intensified when Saad Masood dismissed Shadab Khan for just one run, reducing Islamabad to 30-3. A recovery effort followed through a partnership between Conway and Mark Chapman, which took the total past the 50-run mark.
Conway top-scored with 40 off 33 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell. Chapman contributed 23, while Faheem Ashraf managed 11, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to make a significant impact.
Chris Green provided a late flourish with a brisk 29 off 16 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes, pushing the total beyond 130. However, regular wickets prevented Islamabad from posting a stronger total, and they were eventually bowled out in the final over.
Rawalpindiz’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout the innings. Mohammad Amir, Saad Masood and Dian Forrester claimed two wickets each, while Naseem Shah, Asif Afridi and Daryl Mitchell picked up one apiece.
The result adds renewed interest to the tournament, with another key fixture scheduled later as Lahore Qalandars face Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where both sides will look to strengthen their positions on the points table.