Karachi Kings edged past Peshawar Zalmi in a thrilling finish, chasing down a 148-run target with two wickets in hand and three balls to spare, sealing their third win of the HBL PSL X at the National Bank Stadium on Monday night.

By PakPassion Staff (April 22nd, 2025)

The victory was shaped by Khushdil Shah’s brilliant all-round display and a composed half-century from skipper David Warner.

Warner, who crossed the 13,000-run milestone in T20 cricket, anchored the innings with a calm 60 off 47 balls, striking eight boundaries before being dismissed in the 17th over.

Karachi's chase began on a shaky note as Tim Seifert fell for a golden duck to Luke Wood. Wood then removed James Vince, while young Ali Raza accounted for Saad Baig after a brief 23-run partnership with Warner. Mohammad Irfan Khan’s run-out at 68/4 further dented the innings.

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Warner held the innings together before being bowled by a slower ball from Wood. Khushdil, however, ensured Karachi stayed on course with an unbeaten 23 off 17 balls, including three boundaries. With nine needed off the final over and two wickets remaining, two timely boundaries off Hussain Talat secured the win.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi posted 147/8, led by Babar Azam’s steady 46 off 41 balls, which included seven fours. Zalmi lost Saim Ayub early to Mir Hamza, while Khushdil dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore and later trapped Babar LBW, leaving Zalmi at 67/3 at the halfway mark.

Mohammad Haris added a quick 28 off 21 balls with four boundaries but fell in the 17th over, triggering a collapse. Karachi tightened the screws in the middle overs, with Khushdil (3/20) and Abbas Afridi (3/30) sharing six crucial wickets.

Alzarri Joseph’s late cameo—an unbeaten 24 off 13 balls with a four and a six—added valuable runs, but it wasn’t enough to take Zalmi past the Kings in this nail-biting contest.