Islamabad United and Karachi Kings face off on May 19, 2025, in the final group-stage clash of the HBL PSL 2025. While Islamabad has already punched their ticket to the playoffs, Karachi will aim to finish their campaign with pride. Despite being the last group fixture, this encounter promises excitement, rivalry, and a chance for fringe players to shine. Historically, Islamabad has had the upper hand in this rivalry, but Karachi, playing on their home ground, could turn the tide.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can catch the IU vs KK showdown live on Star Sports Network (India), Ten Sports (Pakistan), and Fox TV (UK). The match begins at 7:00 PM PST, 7:30 PM IST, and 2:00 PM GMT.
Team Analysis
Islamabad United have been one of the most consistent sides in PSL 2025. Led by Shadab Khan, they’ve combined experience with youth to create a well-oiled T20 unit. Sahibzada Farhan has been in blistering form at the top, scoring freely and setting up strong foundations. Colin Munro and Haider Ali have offered stability and power in the middle order, often accelerating in the back half of the innings. Islamabad’s lower-middle order is equally reliable, with Jason Holder and Imad Wasim contributing vital cameos and finishing off innings with both composure and aggression. Holder has also been effective with the ball, taking crucial wickets and bowling economically at the death.
Naseem Shah’s raw pace, combined with the clever variations of Shadab and Imad, have made Islamabad’s bowling unit one of the most feared in the tournament. They’ve closed out games confidently and rarely let the opposition gain momentum. With three consecutive wins under their belt, they head into this fixture brimming with confidence and might use the opportunity to rest key players or test bench strength.
Karachi Kings, on the other hand, have had a forgettable campaign. While they’ve shown sparks of brilliance, inconsistency has plagued their performances. James Vince has been one of the few bright spots in their batting line-up, consistently providing starts and holding the innings together. However, the middle order has faltered far too often, leaving too much to do in the latter overs. The team has struggled to finish well with the bat, often falling short of par scores.
Their bowling, however, has shown promise. Hasan Ali has led the attack with aggression and accuracy, picking up wickets in the powerplay and middle overs. Abbas Afridi and Mir Hamza have provided solid support but haven’t had enough runs to defend in several matches. Karachi’s struggles with balance and match awareness have been their undoing this season, and their exit from playoff contention has been sealed. That said, playing at their home ground, they’ll want to bow out on a high and spoil Islamabad’s rhythm heading into the knockouts.
Match Insights and Conclusion
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to offer a flat, batting-friendly surface under lights. Early swing may assist fast bowlers, but as the match progresses, it’s likely to turn into a run-fest with spinners coming into play only if they hit the right lengths. First-innings scores in excess of 180 are common here, so batting first could be advantageous. If you want to watch ISL vs KAR live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
