Final result
Islamabad United won by 79 runs
Player of the match: AD Hales
Result · Pakistan Super League
Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
Result · Pakistan Super League
Venue par · 130Chase success · 77%POTM · AD Hales
Match preview & overview
Islamabad United thrash Karachi Kings by 79 runs in Rawalpindi
Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by 79 runs in their PSL 2025 fixture at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 19 May 2025. United batted first after Karachi won the toss and elected to field, posting 251/5. One of the larger totals seen at this ground. Before dismissing Karachi for 172. AD Hales won the Player of the Match award. The result extended Islamabad's head-to-head dominance over Karachi to 18 wins from 24 meetings in PSL history.
The chase was never really alive. Karachi's powerplay went reasonably well at 61/1, but seven wickets fell in the middle overs for just 65 runs, and the match was settled long before the 20th over. The final 46 runs off the death came with the game already decided. For Karachi, it was a sharp reminder that no amount of good recent form entirely compensates for structural fragility in the batting order.
Pitch report & venue insights
Cricket Stadium, Sector-16 — 13-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2019. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
13
T20 matches hosted
130
Avg 1st-innings score
119
Avg 2nd-innings score
77%
Chase success rate
36
Avg powerplay runs
46%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
IU post 251/5. 37 above the venue average
Islamabad United's 251/5 was a substantial total at Rawalpindi, where the average first-innings score across 79 matches is 214. Their powerplay alone produced 76 runs without loss, setting a platform Karachi could never match.
Angle 02
Karachi collapse in the middle overs proved decisive
Angle 03
Hales wins Player of the Match
Angle 04
Karachi opted to field. The toss call backfired
Angle 05
Head-to-head now stands at 18-6 in IU's favour
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may hold more interest than match-winner lines when Islamabad United bat first, given the frequency with which their top order dominates the powerplay.
- Total runs lines could be worth monitoring at Rawalpindi: IU's 251 was 37 above the ground average, and Karachi's chase never threatened to make this a competitive contest.
- Middle-overs wickets markets may reflect Karachi Kings' vulnerability in that phase. 7 wickets for 65 runs suggests their batting card is not deep enough to absorb pressure between overs 7 and 16.
- First-innings powerplay run lines are historically generous at Rawalpindi (average 41 runs across all matches), but Islamabad's 76-run powerplay here suggests top-order talent can comfortably exceed that benchmark.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
Who won the Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings PSL 2025 match?
Islamabad United won by 79 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 19 May 2025. United posted 251/5 and bowled Karachi Kings out for 172.
Who was Player of the Match in Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings?
AD Hales was named Player of the Match following Islamabad United's 79-run victory. His contribution came during a powerplay in which IU scored 76 runs without losing a wicket.
Where can I watch PSL 2025 matches in the UK?
PSL 2025 fixtures are broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket in the UK, with live streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. Check the Sky Sports schedule for UK broadcast times, which may vary depending on the match start time in Pakistan.
What is the head-to-head record between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings?
Islamabad United lead the all-time PSL head-to-head 18 wins to 6, from 24 meetings. The last five encounters have all been won by Islamabad United, making them heavy favourites whenever the two sides meet.
What is the average first-innings score at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium?
Across 79 PSL matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the average first-innings score is 214. Islamabad United's 251/5 in this fixture was 37 runs above that mark.
What was Karachi Kings' recent form heading into this match?
Karachi Kings had won four of their previous five PSL 2025 fixtures, beating Peshawar Zalmi twice, Lahore Qalandars once, and Multan Sultans once. Their only defeat in that run came against Quetta Gladiators.
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