PSL 2019: Colin Munro gives Karachi Kings flying start before Islamabad United restrict scoring

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  • Colin Munro [Photo credit: @thePSLt20/Twitter]

    Karachi Kings got off to a flyer as they batted first in the first Pakistan Super League (PSL) Eliminator against Islamabad United at Karachi on Thursday.

    Colin Munro did the damage at the top of the order, hitting 32 of just 11 balls while Babar Azam scored 42 off 32.

    However, the defending champions fought back midway through the innings, picking up a flurry of wickets and restricting Karachi to 161/9 when they seemed to be on course for a 200-plus score.

    Here, we take a closer look at the Munro’s display.

    STATISTICS

    Runs scored: 32

    Balls faced: 11

    Boundaries: 6

    Sixes: 1

    Strike-rate: 290.90

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Munro wasted no time in setting Karachi on their way. Off the 11 deliveries he faced, only one was a dot ball.

    Apart from two singles, the rest of his runs came in boundaries. Even though Azam was no slouch at the other end, the New Zealand international’s explosive hitting saw him overshadow his fellow opener to an extent.

    The Pakistani batsman seemed to assume the responsibility of playing a longer innings, while Munro went on the offensive. Their 52-run stand came off just 21 balls before Munro was dismissed by Muhammad Musa, departing with a strike rate of 290.90.

    GOT RIGHT

    Munro took the game to Islamabad and played exclusively on the front foot. He refused to curb his aggression during his fearless knock and relished the fuller length deliveries.

    The 32-year-old favoured the offside, spanking the ball through the covers on a few occasions while he launched Musa over the ropes straight down the wicket.

    GOT WRONG

    We’re being hypercritical here, but despite the loose bowling from Islamabad early on in the innings, Munro should’ve acknowledge a rare good delivery when it came along.

    He faced a relatively good one from Faheem Ashraf, while batting on 26 but tried to force it through the covers. He didn’t catch it right and it was fielded comfortably.

    Then, after dispatching Musa for a six in the following over, he tried to wildly cut the next ball through the offside when the delivery didn’t allow him much room to extend his arms. He only succeeded in edging it behind for Luke Ronchi.

    He faced a similar ball from Mohammad Sami in the first over which he also tried to hit with force, but his pull shot was mistimed and he only picked up a single on that occasion.

    VERDICT – 7/10

    Despite his early dismissal, Munro did his job. His explosive cameo at the top of the order along with Azam’s knock set up Karachi for a mammoth total but his side weren’t able to capitalise on that superb platform.

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