Karachi Kings secured a thrilling win over Peshawar Zalmi, chasing down the 148-run target with just two wickets remaining and three balls to spare, completing the Karachi leg of HBL PSL X with their third victory of the season at National Bank Stadium on Monday night.
According to details, Khushdil Shah’s all-round performance and David Warner’s steady half-century were key highlights in a tense finish. Kings’ captain Warner, who also reached 13,000 T20 runs, played a controlled innings of 60 runs from 47 balls, including eight boundaries, before being dismissed in the 17th over.
Karachi’s chase started with a blow as opening batter Tim Seifert fell for a golden duck to left-arm pacer Luke Wood. James Vince was soon followed by Seifert, as Wood continued his sharp spell. Saad Baig contributed a 23-run stand with Warner, but was dismissed for nine runs by teenage pacer Ali Raza during the powerplay.
Just when it looked like Kings were stabilizing with a 26-run partnership for the fourth wicket, Mohammad Irfan Khan was run out while attempting a second run with the score at 68 in 10.3 overs. Warner, the sixth batter to fall, was bowled out by a slower delivery from Wood, but Khushdil kept the score ticking, finishing unbeaten on 23 from 17 balls, including three boundaries.
With nine runs required from the final over and two wickets remaining, Kings held their nerve, with two boundaries off Hussain Talat securing the win. Earlier, Zalmi posted 147-8 in their 20 overs, with captain Babar Azam leading the way with 46 off 41 balls, including seven fours.
Peshawar Zalmi faced early setbacks, losing Saim Ayub in the third over to Mir Hamza and Tom Kohler-Cadmore to Khushdil Shah in the seventh. Babar was dismissed leg-before by Khushdil as Zalmi reached 67-3 at the halfway mark.
Mohammad Haris briefly sparked some hope, contributing 28 runs off 21 balls, but his dismissal in the 17th over led to a collapse, and Zalmi’s momentum faded. Karachi’s bowlers maintained pressure, with Khushdil (3-0-20-3) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (4-0-30-3) sharing six wickets between them in disciplined spells.
A late surge from Alzarri Joseph, who remained not out on 24 off 13 balls, including a six and a four, helped Zalmi finish with a modest total.
Scores in brief:
Peshawar Zalmi 147-8, 20 overs (Babar Azam 46, Mohammad Haris 28, Alzarri Joseph 24*; Khushdil Shah 3-20, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 3-30). Karachi Kings 148-8, 19.3 overs (David Warner 60, Khushdil Shah 23*; Luke Wood 3-28, Ali Raza 2-32).
Player of the match
Khushdil Shah (Karachi Kings)
