Tag: Karachi Kings

LAHORE: Kusal Mendis continued his rich vein of form as Peshawar Zalmi eased past Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Unbeaten Zalmi chased down a stiff target of 183 inside 18 overs, losing only three wickets in the process.

The opening pair of James Vince and Babar Azam added 37  in the first five overs before both batters were sent back in successive overs.

Babar was caught after scoring 25 from 19, whereas Vince was caught behind on 16.  The wickets brought Aaron Hardie and Kusal Mendis on the crease. The pair tried to arrest the slide with a brief 22-run partnership. However, Hardie fell prey to Khusdil Shah, putting Karachi Kings in pole position.

At this stage, the scorecard read 67-3 in 7.4 overs with Farhan Yousaf joining Mendis. The pair launched a recovery and took their side out of trouble. Both batters batted briskly, soaking up all the pressure.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Mendis and Yousaf took the game away from Karachi Kings in the last five overs, taking the attack to the bowlers. The pair finished with an unbeaten 119-run partnership from 69 balls, propelling Zalmi to their eighth win on the trot.

Mendis — the leading run scorer of the tournament- struck four sixes and five fours in his 80* off 43 balls. Yousaf, on the other hand, scored his maiden half-century, hitting three sixes and five fours. He made 58 off 36 deliveries.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi seamer Ali Raza produced a sensational hat-trick to derail Karachi Kings after an aggressive half-century by Jason Roy.

Batting first after winning the toss, Karachi Kings had a mixed outing despite a strong start from opener Jason Roy, who anchored the innings with a fluent 85 off 51 deliveries, striking 11 fours and two sixes.

Captain David Warner struggled at the top, managing just 11 off 13 balls before being bowled by Raza early in the innings.

Roy, however, kept the scoreboard moving and built short partnerships of 36 and 27 with Salman Ali Agha and Reeza Hendricks, respectively, maintaining Karachi’s momentum through the middle overs.

The real turning point came when Azam Khan joined Roy and counterattacked brilliantly. The Karachi Kings duo added 63 runs in just 32 deliveries, putting Peshawar Zalmi under pressure before Iftikhar Ahmed broke the stand by dismissing Azam for a quickfire 35 off 19 balls.

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Roy soon followed, falling to Mohammad Basit after completing a well-compiled knock that had kept Karachi in control for most of the innings.

From there, the innings collapsed dramatically as no batter managed to offer resistance. Karachi Kings managed to score 182-9 in their 20 overs.

Ali Raza returned in death overs to tear through the lower order, taking his first PSL hat-trick and finishing with four wickets in total. He was supported by Mohammad Basit, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Aaron Hardie, who claimed one wicket each.

READ: Will Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman return to PSL 11?

Notably, in the last outing between the two teams, Zalmi thumped Kings by a massive 159-run margin. The Babar Azam-led franchise set a 247-run target, courtesy of Kusal Mendis’ blistering century.

In response, Karachi Kings were bundled for a mere 87, with Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana and Sufiyan Muqeem claiming three wickets apiece.

READ: WATCH: Lahore Qalandars fulfil cancer-stricken child’s wish to meet Shaheen Afridi

LAHORE: Karachi Kings have bolstered their squad for the decisive phase of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 by bringing in experienced leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood.

The Karachi-based franchise confirmed the development in an official statement, highlighting the veteran spinner’s ability to deliver breakthroughs during the middle overs.

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“Mahmood, known for his sharp turn and deceptive googly, has been a part of Kings’ squad in 2024 and 2025 seasons too. With the tournament entering its business end, his ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs is expected to be a vital asset for the franchise,” the franchise stated.

The 38-year-old has been a familiar face in the league, having represented multiple teams over the years, including Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United, alongside his stints with the Kings.

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During the PSL 9, he featured in six matches for Karachi, picking up eight wickets, while his overall PSL tally stands at 15 wickets in 15 appearances.

Karachi Kings currently find themselves in a tight mid-table battle, sitting on six points after seven matches.

The Kings are set to face Peshawar Zalmi in their next fixture, scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium, as they look to strengthen their position in the standings.

READ: Dasun Shanaka breaks silence on his PSL ban

KARACHI: Arafat Minhas starred with a three-wicket haul as Multan Sultans edged past Karachi Kings by 11 runs in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Chasing a daunting 208 here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday, Karachi Kings were bowled out for 196 in 19.4 overs.

Jason Roy and Saad Baig started positively in pursuit of the chase, adding 29 in 2.2 overs before Arafat Minhas struck twice to reduce them to 41-2 at the end of four overs.

Roy made 16 from nine while Salman Ali Agha was cleaned up for two runs. The Kings were pegged back further with the dismissal of Baig, who hit four boundaries before getting caught on 21.

As a result, Karachi Kings were in dire straits at 47-3 at the end of the powerplay.

With the side in deep trouble, Reeza Hendricks and Moeen Ali launched a recovery with a 67-run partnership. The pair managed to pull things back, with the scorecard reading 114 in 12.5 overs.

However, Hendricks was caught just one shy of a half-century. He top-scored with 49 from 32, hitting two sixes and five fours.

Following his dismissal, the Kings’ batting lineup wobbled until Abbas Afridi’s cameo, which provided them a glimmer of hope. The right-hander hit 34 from 16, including two sixes and three fours.

He was caught in the penultimate over, which dashed the Kings’ hope. With 18 required off the final over, Mohammad Wasim kept his nerve and gave nothing away.

For Multan Sultans, Arafat Minhas picked up three wickets.

Earlier, Shan Masood’s 46 from 25 balls and Imran Randhawa’s 26 from eight balls at the back end of the innings propelled Multan Sultans to a massive total.

Asked to bat first, Multan Sultans racked up 207-7 in 20 overs.

Sultans were jolted with an early blow in the shape of Steve Smith, who was caught without scoring. The early wicket brought Josh Philippe to the crease, who added a 66-run partnership with Awais Zafar.

The pair batted briskly, bringing the team’s total to 77 in 7.2 overs. Philippe made 44 from 23 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Despite the wicket, runs continued to flow from Multan Sultans batters as Awais Zafar was involved in another 44-run stand with Shan Masood.

However, Karachi Kings bowlers made a comeback in the second half of the innings as Awais and Shan fell in successive overs. At this stage, the scorecard read 135-4 in 13.2 overs. The former hit five fours and a six in his 36 off 27, whereas the latter struck three fours and three sixes in his knock.

Karachi Kings bowlers squeezed the run flow and took wickets at regular intervals, and reduced Sultans to 174-7 in 18.2 overs, until Imran Randhawa’s late onslaught.

The right-hander scored 21 off Hasan Ali’s final over to take the total to over 200 runs.

For Karachi Kings, Khushdil Shah remained the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan admits ‘failure’ after Rawalpindiz seventh loss

KARACHI: Stand-in captain Moeen Ali lamented Karachi Kings powerplay bowling after a four-wicket defeat against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash here at the National Bank Stadium.

Karachi Kings posted a strong total of 188 on the board, thanks to a composed half-century from Saad Baig.

The late impetus to the innings was provided by captain Moeen Ali, who hit five sixes in his 44 from 16 balls.

In reply, Kingsmen capitalized on a strong start and chased down the 189-run target on the first ball of the final over.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Speaking after the match, Moeen hailed the team’s fighting spirit while highlighting the shortcomings during the fixture.

“We did well to get that score. Our powerplay bowling was not great, starting with me. Positive for tonight was that we showed a fight which was missing last few games. You just go with your gut feel,” he said.

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Moeen said that such situations can happen, adding that winning three matches in a row does not automatically guarantee qualification.

He also cited a seven-day break as a possible factor that may not have worked in the team’s favour.

“It can happen. You win three in a row, which doesn’t automatically mean you’ll qualify. We had a break of 7 days, which probably wasn’t great for us,” the captain explained.

For the unversed, this was Karachi Kings second consecutive defeat after winning the first three games.

The 2020 champions will face Islamabad United on 16 April at the same venue.

READ: Saad Baig becomes first player to be retired out in PSL

KARACHI: Irfan Khan and Hassan Khan delivered with the bat to secure the first victory for Hyderabad Kingsmen over Karachi Kings in the 20th fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Set a stiff 189, Hyderabad Kingsmen aced the chase in 19.1 overs, losing six wickets in the process.

Marnus Labuschagne and Maaz Sadaqat provided a rapid start with 35 on the board in 2.5 overs. The skipper made 26 from 10, including three fours and two sixes.

Hyderabad Kingsmen capitalized on a strong start as Sadaqat stitched a 60-run partnership with Usman Khan.

The duo made the chase look easy as Kingsmen’s scorecard read 96 in 7.5 overs. However, Abbas Afridi and Adam Zampa turned things around with consecutive wickets in back-to-back overs.

Afridi first removed Usman, who made 27 off 13 balls, while Zampa got rid of Sadaqat. The left-hander scored 37 off 29, including two sixes and four boundaries.

Karachi Kings bowlers further mounted pressure in the shape of Saim Ayub’s (6) and Glenn Maxwell’s (2) wickets.

As a result, Hyderabad Kingsmen slumped to 112-5 in 11.4 overs.

Following quick wickets, Kusal Perera and Irfan Khan put the chase back on track with a brief 27-run stand. But it was the former’s wicket that gave Karachi Kings a foothold on the match.

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Perera made 17 from 14 deliveries with the help of a single boundary.

Consequently, Hyderabad Kingsmen required 50 from the last five overs with four wickets in hand.

Facing an uphill task, Irfan Khan and Hassan Khan combined to add a match-winning half-century stand to take their team over the line.

Irfan struck two fours and a six on his way to 29 from 20, whereas Hassan quick-fire 33 off 16, included two maximums and two fours.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi took two wickets in four overs.

Earlier, Saad Baig’s half-century and Moeen Ali’s late surge powered Karachi Kings to a commanding total

Put in to bat first, Karachi Kings finished their innings at 188 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Karachi Kings’ innings started on a shaky note as Reeza Hendricks was caught at fine leg for two on the fourth ball of the opening over.

After an early blow, Salman Ali Agha and Muhammad Waseem joined hands and added 45 runs in 5.2 overs.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Salman Agha, who was looking fluent, got out after scoring 24 from 16 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours.

Hyderabad Kingsmen bowlers made a good comeback after the power play and got the prized wicket of Muhammad Waseem. The right-hander was lbw, thanks to a deadly yorker from Hunain Shah.

As a result, Karachi Kings were reduced to 59-3 in 7.2 overs.

With the Kings in trouble, Azam Khan and Saad Baig launched a swift recovery with a 61-run stand off 43 balls. The duo batted with authority, helping Karachi Kings reach 120 in 14.3 overs.

Azam made 26 from 19, including two sixes and a boundary.

Nonetheless, the highlight of the innings was stand-in skipper Moeen Ali’s whirlwind knock. The southpaw hit five maximums and a four, bringing the score to 175 in 18.1 overs.

Meanwhile, Baig was time-out after completing his half-century in the 18th over. He made 53 on 37 balls, hitting half a dozen boundaries.

For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Hunain Shah remained the pick of bowlers, taking three wickets in four overs while giving away only 19 runs.

READ: Babar Azam reflects on Peshawar Zalmi win over Lahore Qalandars

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen have won the toss and have decided to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the 20th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Karachi Kings and Hyderabad Kingsmen will face each other for the first time, as the latter is making its inaugural appearance in the tournament.

The Kings have lost only one game out of four while Kingsmen are in search of their first win of the tournament after losing four games on the trot.

Playing XI

Karachi Kings: Moeen Ali (c), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Adam Zampa, Reeza Hendricks, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Waseem

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Glenn Maxwell, Hunain Shah,

READ: Babar Azam becomes first batter to achieve historic PSL milestone

KARACHI: Glenn Maxwell has arrived in Pakistan and linked up with Hyderabad Kingsmen ahead of their crucial Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture against Karachi Kings on Saturday.

The franchise confirmed the Australian all-rounder’s arrival through their official social media platforms, sharing a picture of Maxwell settling into his hotel room with a caption welcoming their high-profile addition.

Maxwell, widely regarded as one of the most explosive T20 players in modern cricket, is set to make his PSL debut this season, bringing both experience and firepower to a struggling Kingsmen outfit.

The right-handed batter boasts an impressive T20I record, having scored 2897 runs in 129 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 158.42, including five centuries and 12 half-centuries. His all-round credentials further strengthen his value, with 49 wickets to his name in the format.

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In 503 T20 matches, he has accumulated 10986 runs at a strike rate exceeding 154, alongside 196 wickets, making him one of the most sought-after players in leagues around the world, including the Big Bash League (BBL), Indian Premier League (IPL), The Hundred and the Vitality Blast.

His arrival comes at a critical juncture for the Marnus Labuschagne-led Kingsmen, who are yet to register a win in the ongoing season. The side has endured a tough start, losing all four of their matches and sitting near the bottom of the points table with a negative net run rate.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan opens up after Rawalpindiz fifth straight loss

KARACHI: David Warner has termed the Karachi Kings’ crushing defeat to Peshawar Zalmi as a potential turning point, suggesting that such setbacks can help revive the squad’s energy during a long tournament.

The Karachi Kings suffered a humbling 159-run loss in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at the National Bank Stadium, after conceding a record 246 for 3 and then being bowled out for just 87 in reply.

Reflecting on the defeat, Warner admitted that his side failed to execute their plans, particularly during the middle phase of the innings when the game slipped away.

“I think our decision to bowl first was what we wanted to do and intended to do. But when you allow two stroke-makers time to settle and hit boundaries consistently every over, it becomes really difficult to pull things back,” Warner said after the match.

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The Kings’ captain pointed out that the contest was still evenly poised at one stage before a costly passage of play shifted momentum decisively in Zalmi’s favour.

“I thought at the 10-over mark we were still in the game, but in the next three overs they scored around 50-60 runs, which is unacceptable at this level,” he added.

David Warner also acknowledged that despite a promising start with the ball, his side failed to maintain pressure, allowing the opposition to fully capitalise.

“In the first six overs, you’ve got to try and stay positive. A couple of good balls led to wickets, and there was also some good fielding in the outfield. But credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board,” he noted.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Chasing a daunting target, Karachi never looked in contention, eventually collapsing for their lowest total in PSL history. Warner admitted the scale of the target made the chase increasingly difficult.

“Credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board. It was always going to be a tough chase,” he said.

Despite the heavy defeat, their first of the campaign, Warner remained optimistic, insisting that such results can sometimes serve as a catalyst for improvement.

“In tournaments like these, sometimes you need a loss like this to bring the energy back into the group,” he remarked.

“When you’ve had six or seven days off, it can take a bit of time to get back into rhythm. But the boys are in good spirits, we’ve got a great group, and we will take the positives. We will enjoy tomorrow off and come back stronger.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rewrite record books in PSL win over Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi delivered a record-shattering performance in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, piling up a massive 246 for 3 against Karachi Kings before sealing a historic 159-run victory at the National Bank Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Zalmi recovered from an early setback, losing Mohammad Haris for a duck on just the second ball, to produce one of the most dominant batting displays in PSL history.

The turnaround was orchestrated by Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis, who stitched together a staggering 191-run partnership for the second wicket.

That stand is now the highest for any wicket in PSL history, eclipsing the previous best of 176 set by Babar and Sharjeel Khan back in 2021.

Highest partnerships in PSL

• Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 191 runs against Karachi Kings in 2026
• Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 176 runs against Islamabad United in 2021
• Saim Ayub and Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 162 runs against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
• David Warner and James Vince (Karachi Kings) – 162 runs against Peshawar Zalmi in 2025
• Liam Livingstone and Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 157 runs against Multan Sultans in 2019

Zalmi’s total of 246/3 also entered the record books as the highest ever at the National Bank Stadium, surpassing the previous mark of 238/3.

It is now the sixth-highest total in PSL history and the franchise’s highest-ever score, improving on their previous best of 242/6.

Notably, the record for the highest total in PSL history belongs to Quetta Gladiators, who posted 263/3 last season against Islamabad United.

Highest totals in PSL history

• Quetta Gladiators – 263/3 against Islamabad United in 2025
• Multan Sultans – 262/3 against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
• Quetta Gladiators – 253/8 against Multan Sultans in 2023
• Islamabad United – 251/5 against Karachi Kings in 2025
• Islamabad United – 247/2 against Peshawar Zalmi in 2021
• Peshawar Zalmi – 246/3 against Karachi Kings in 2026

In response, Karachi Kings crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 87 in 16.1 overs, which is their lowest total in PSL history.

The collapse also marked the lowest-ever total recorded at the National Bank Stadium, underlining the one-sided nature of the contest.

The defeat margin of 159 runs is now the biggest in PSL history, surpassing the previous unwanted record held by Multan Sultans, who had suffered a 120-run loss against the same opposition last season.

READ: Babar Azam breaks Chris Gayle’s record during Karachi Kings clash