KARACHI: In an electrifying encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10, Karachi Kings secured a nail-biting two-wicket victory against Peshawar Zalmi in match number 11, played at the iconic National Stadium Karachi on Monday.
After winning the toss, Karachi Kings opted to field first, a decision that proved beneficial as their bowlers restricted Peshawar Zalmi to 147 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Star batter Babar Azam led the charge for Zalmi with a steady 46 off 41 balls, while Mohammad Haris added a quick 28 off 21 deliveries. Alzarri Joseph provided a late surge, remaining unbeaten on 24 from just 13 balls.
For Karachi Kings, the bowling attack was spearheaded by Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi. Both bowlers claimed three wickets each, with Khushdil finishing with remarkable figures of 3 for 20 in just three overs. Abbas Afridi supported well with 3 for 30 in his full quota. Mir Hamza also contributed by taking 1 wicket for just 14 runs in his economical four-over spell.
In response, Karachi Kings began cautiously but steadily chased the 148-run target. David Warner anchored the innings with a composed 60 runs off 47 balls, playing the role of the match-winner for Karachi Kings. Despite losing wickets at crucial stages, Khushdil Shah’s calm presence ensured they crossed the finish line. He remained unbeaten on 23, while Mohammad Nabi chipped in with a handy 14 runs. The Kings completed the chase with just three balls to spare and two wickets in hand.
Peshawar Zalmi bowlers put up a solid fight, especially Luke Wood who claimed 3 wickets for 26 runs. Ali Raza and Arif Yaqoon also impressed, taking 2 and 1 wickets respectively, but their efforts fell just short.
With this win, Karachi Kings have injected momentum into their PSL 10 campaign, thrilling their home crowd in Karachi. The victory was a testament to their resilience under pressure, and fans will be eagerly anticipating how Karachi Kings carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures.