Explosive half-centuries from Azam Khan and David Warner powered Karachi Kings to a five-wicket victory over RawalPindiz in the 10th match of the Pakistan Super League Season 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a challenging target of 198, the Kings reached the total with five wickets down and four balls to spare, thanks to a decisive 76-run partnership for the third wicket between Azam and Warner.
Karachi’s innings began on a mixed note as opener Muhammad Waseem was dismissed early with 27 runs on the board. Salman Ali Agha then joined Warner, and the pair steadied the innings with a 43-run stand before Agha fell for 29 in the ninth over.
The momentum shifted firmly in Karachi’s favour when Azam Khan was promoted up the order. His aggressive approach, combined with Warner’s composure, turned the game around. Warner scored a fluent 50 off 36 balls, including six fours and a six, before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell in the 16th over.
Azam continued the onslaught, smashing a blistering 74 off just 34 deliveries, featuring six fours and six sixes, to bring his side within touching distance of victory. He was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over.
Despite a brief scare when Mitchell dismissed Moeen Ali early in the final over, Abbas Afridi sealed the win with a towering six on the very next ball, securing Karachi’s third consecutive victory in the tournament.
Daryl Mitchell was the most successful bowler for RawalPindiz, taking three wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Sam Billings guided RawalPindiz to a formidable 198-run target against Karachi Kings.
After being put in to bat by Kings captain David Warner, RawalPindiz posted an impressive 197/6 in their 20 overs, recovering strongly from an early collapse.
The innings got off to a shaky start as Hasan Ali dismissed captain Mohammad Rizwan for 21 in the third over, leaving the score at 28. Khushdil Shah then struck twice in quick succession, removing Yasir Khan (8) and Kamran Ghulam (10) to reduce RawalPindiz to 55/3 in 6.1 overs.
With the team in trouble, Mitchell and Billings staged a remarkable recovery, stitching together a crucial 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Both batters brought up their half-centuries, shifting momentum firmly in RawalPindiz’s favor.
Hasan Ali eventually broke the stand in the 18th over by dismissing Billings for a well-made 58 off 35 balls, which included eight fours and a six. Mitchell, who top-scored with 65 off 41 deliveries featuring five fours and three sixes, was later dismissed by Mir Hamza on the first ball of the penultimate over.
A quick unbeaten cameo of 17 runs off just eight balls by Abdullah Fazal ensured RawalPindiz finished strongly and set a daunting target.
For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 24 in his four overs, while Khushdil Shah claimed two wickets and Mir Hamza chipped in with one.