Karachi Kings pulled off dramatic 5-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz to clinch their third consecutive win in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 on Thursday.
Chasing a daunting 198-run target, Karachi showed nerves of steel to cross the finish line with four balls remaining, thanks to explosive half-centuries from captain David Warner and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan. The duo’s electrifying 76-run partnership for the third wicket proved to be the turning point of the contest.
Karachi’s chase began on a shaky note when opener Muhammad Waseem was dismissed in the third over with the score at 27. However, Salman Ali Agha joined Warner and steadied the innings with a composed 43-run partnership. Agha played a supporting role with a valuable 29 before departing in the ninth over.
The momentum shifted when Azam Khan was promoted up the batting order ahead of all-rounder Moeen Ali. The bold move paid off instantly as Azam unleashed an aggressive assault on the Rawalpindiz bowling attack while Warner anchored the chase with experience and control.
Warner brought up his half-century from 36 balls, striking six fours and a six, before falling to Daryl Mitchell in the 16th over. But by then, Karachi were firmly in command.
Azam Khan continued the fireworks, smashing bowlers all around the park with fearless hitting. His blistering knock of 74 from just 34 deliveries included six fours and six towering sixes, bringing Karachi within touching distance of victory before he was dismissed by Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over.
Mitchell attempted a late twist by removing Moeen Ali for five on the first ball of the final over, sparking brief hope for Rawalpindiz. However, Abbas Afridi crushed those hopes instantly by launching a six on the very next delivery, sealing a memorable win for Karachi.
Mitchell emerged as the most successful bowler for Rawalpindiz with three wickets for 32 runs, while Naseem Shah and Amir picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Karachi’s decision to bowl first did not appear to pay off initially as Rawalpindiz posted an imposing 197/6 in their 20 overs. Their innings was powered by a commanding fourth-wicket stand between Mitchell and Sam Billings.
Rawalpindiz had a shaky start when Hasan Ali removed captain Mohammad Rizwan for 21 in the third over with the score at 28. Soon after, Khushdil Shah struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Yasir Khan (8) and Kamran Ghulam (10), leaving the side struggling at 55/3.
Mitchell and Billings then staged a remarkable recovery, stitching together a 120-run partnership that completely changed the momentum. Both batters produced attacking half-centuries to put Rawalpindiz back in control.
Billings scored a fluent 58 off 35 balls, striking eight fours and a six, before Hasan Ali finally broke the dangerous stand in the 18th over. Mitchell followed soon after, falling to Mir Hamza at the start of the 19th over after a well-crafted 65 from 41 balls, which included five fours and three sixes.
In the closing overs, Abdullah Fazal added late fireworks with an unbeaten 17 from just eight deliveries, smashing two sixes and a boundary to push the total close to the 200-run mark.
For Karachi, Hasan Ali was the standout bowler with impressive figures of 3/24 in four overs, while Khushdil Shah chipped in with two wickets and Mir Hamza claimed one.
But despite Rawalpindiz’s strong total, Karachi’s fearless chase—driven by Warner’s leadership and Azam Khan’s explosive batting—ultimately stole the spotlight in a pulsating PSL encounter.
Rawalpindiz Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), Yasir Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Abdullah Fazal, Cole McConchie, Rishad Hossain, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Amir Khan
Karachi Kings Playing XI: David Warner (capt), Muhammad Waseem, Salman Agha, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Khushdil Shah, Azam Khan (wk), Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Adam Zampa, Mir Hamza
Islamabad United thrash Quetta Gladiators in HBL PSL 2026 match
