Tag: Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Babar Azam etched his name deeper into the record books on Thursday, becoming the fastest batter in men’s T20 history to reach 12,000 runs, surpassing the long-standing mark held by Chris Gayle.

The milestone came during Peshawar Zalmi’s high-scoring Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium.

Babar, who needed just 13 runs before the match, brought up the landmark in style by launching Khushdil Shah for a six over mid-on in the fourth over.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

In doing so, the Zalmi skipper became the 12th player in men’s T20 cricket to cross the 12,000-run mark, joining an elite list featuring the likes of Kieron Pollard, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, David Warner and Shoaib Malik.

Babar reached the milestone in just 338 innings, bettering Gayle’s previous record of 343 innings, while Kohli sits third on the list, having taken 360 innings to get there.

Fastest to 12,000 Runs in Men’s T20s

• Babar Azam – 338 innings
• Chris Gayle – 343 innings
• Virat Kohli – 360 innings
• David Warner – 368 innings
• Jos Buttler – 405 innings

Despite losing the record, Gayle continues to lead the all-time T20 run charts with 14,562 runs, followed closely by Pollard.

Babar Azam capped off his milestone performance with a dominant unbeaten 87, powering Zalmi to a formidable total of 246 for 3.

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The bowlers then completed a comprehensive performance, skittling Karachi Kings for just 87 to seal a massive 159-run victory.

The emphatic win lifted Zalmi to second place on the PSL 11 points table, with three wins from their first four matches, further underlining their strong start to the campaign.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan released from Multan Sultans squad

KARACHI: Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis’ sublime batting backed by a disciplined bowling effort powered Peshawar Zalmi to a resounding 159-run victory over Karachi Kings in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Set a massive 247 to chase, Karachi Kings’ batting lineup faltered and were bowled out for 87 in 16.1 overs.

Kings were in early trouble right from the start as they lost both of their openers, Mohammad Waseem and David Warner, for ducks.

They were further pegged back when Salman Ali Agha was trapped lbw for five by Iftikhar Ahmed. As a result, they were reduced to 8-3 in 2.1 overs.

Following the early trouble, Saad Baig (14) and Azam Khan (25) tried to stabilize the innings with a brief 27-run partnership. However, a caught and bowled from Nahid Rana sent the former back to the pavilion.

The wickets continued to tumble as Kings never recovered in their big chase.

Eventually, Peshawar Zalmi bowled them out for a modest total and handed Kings their first defeat of the season.

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For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Nahid Rana, and Iftikhar Ahmed shared nine wickets between them.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi posted a mammoth 246 runs total in a commanding batting display after being invited to bat first.

The cornerstone of the big total was the record 191-run stand between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis. The duo put on a batting masterclass after the early loss of Mohammad Haris, who was removed for a duck on the second ball of the opening over.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Babar scored 87 from 51 balls with the aid of two sixes and 10 fours, while Mendis scored his maiden PSL century, an innings of 109 off 52 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and four sixes.

Peshawar Zalmi were 197-4 in 17 overs when Abdul Samad provided a late surge. He smashed 40 off just 12 balls with the help of four sixes and three boundaries, propelling the total beyond the 240-run mark.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi picked up two wickets while giving away 55 in his quota of four overs.

READ: Devon Conway leads Islamabad United to victory over Lahore Qalandars

KARACHI: Karachi Kings pacer Abbas Afridi has shed light on the influence of his uncle and former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul, crediting his mentorship as a key factor in shaping his bowling and overall career.

Speaking on the sidelines of a training session ahead of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Peshawar Zalmi, Abbas emphasised that consistent hard work remains central to his progress as he looks to make a strong impact in the tournament.

“I have been playing cricket for a long time, including at the U-19 level, and performed well there to reach this stage. Even now, I am working hard every day. I am grateful to Allah for where I am today,” Abbas said.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The young pacer highlighted the dual nature of having an experienced cricketer in the family, noting that while it brings valuable guidance, it also comes with accountability.

“Having a Test cricketer in the family definitely helps; you learn a lot, but you also get scolded,” he shared.

“In the last match, when I didn’t bowl well, he pointed it out and guided me on how to bowl in different situations. I often receive calls from him where he advises me and helps me improve.”

Gul, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest T20 bowlers, enjoyed a distinguished career, including becoming the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20 internationals during the 2009 World T20.

Abbas Afridi also spoke about the benefits of sharing the dressing room with international stars at Karachi Kings, particularly under the leadership of David Warner.

“It’s a great experience playing under Warner and alongside players like Moeen Ali and Adam Zampa. You learn a lot from them; they guide you and share their experience,” he added.

The pacer also acknowledged the role of team director Haider Azhar in building a positive environment within the squad, something Abbas believes is crucial for success in a high-pressure tournament.

“A lot of credit goes to Haider bhai for creating such a good team environment. It really depends on how the atmosphere is within the team, and ours is very positive. InshaAllah, we will try our best to win the trophy this season,” he said.

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While primarily known for his bowling, Abbas revealed he is also working on his batting to contribute in crunch moments.

“I am often told [by my uncle] to focus more on my bowling, but I also work on my batting because there are situations where quick runs are needed in the final overs. I try to be ready for any situation.”

Looking ahead, the right-arm pacer sees the PSL as a crucial pathway back to international cricket.

“PSL is a great platform for players to reach international cricket. My goal is to make a comeback to the Pakistan team through strong performances in this tournament,” he concluded.

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LAHORE: Blistering half-centuries from David Warner and Azam Khan propelled Karachi Kings to a hard-fought five-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging 198-run target, the Kings crossed the finish line with four balls to spare, registering their third consecutive win in the tournament.

The run chase saw an early setback when Muhammad Waseem departed for 23 in the third over with 27 runs on the board.

However, Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings alongside Warner, adding a crucial 43-run stand before falling for 29.

The turning point came when Azam joined Warner in the middle, as the duo stitched a decisive 76-run partnership for the third wicket, shifting the momentum firmly in Karachi’s favour.

Warner played an anchoring yet fluent knock of 50 off 36 deliveries, laced with six fours and a six, before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell in the 16th over.

Azam, meanwhile, took charge with an aggressive approach, smashing 74 off just 34 balls, including six fours and six towering sixes. His innings brought the Kings within touching distance before he fell to Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over.

With the equation down to the final over, Abbas Afridi sealed the win in emphatic fashion, launching a six early in the over to take Karachi Kings home.

Earlier, Rawalpindiz posted a competitive 197-6 after being put into bat, recovering strongly from early setbacks.

Hasan Ali struck early to remove skipper Mohammad Rizwan (21), while Khushdil Shah dented the top order further by dismissing Yasir Khan (8) and Kamran Ghulam (10), reducing them to 55-3.

The innings was then revived by a superb 120-run partnership between Mitchell and Sam Billings, both of whom registered half-centuries. Billings scored 58 off 35 deliveries, while Mitchell top-scored with 65 off 41 balls.

Hasan eventually broke the stand in the death overs, finishing as the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Khushdil claimed two and Mir Hamza chipped in with one.

READ: Fakhar Zaman’s appeal rejected as PSL committee upholds two-match ban

LAHORE: Karachi Kings spinner Adam Zampa delivered a match-winning performance to guide his side to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Zampa was named Player of the Match for his outstanding spell of 2-11 in four overs, including a maiden, playing a key role in restricting Lahore Qalandars to a modest total.

Reflecting on his performance, Adam Zampa emphasized the importance of reading conditions and adapting accordingly.

“I guess just summing up the wicket today. I think it was a pretty used wicket, lowish, slowish, with a little bit of spin. So I tried to use my strengths as much as possible, hit the stumps, and get the ball to slide on here and there as well. So it suited me.”

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The experienced leg-spinner highlighted how understanding conditions plays a vital role in modern T20 bowling.

“I think it’s part of becoming a universal bowler — summing up the conditions. I’ve played here plenty of times, and you know when it’s used. After a couple of balls, you can kind of sum up the best way to go about it. You tend to keep things pretty simple.”

Adam Zampa also credited clarity and experience as key factors behind his effectiveness, particularly when it comes to deceiving batters.

“I guess it’s just using experience now. I know what I’m doing when I get out there. I’ve got a lot of clarity in my mind. There’s not really a mystery to my bowling, but I think it’s more about knowing what works in different situations.”

READ: “We Did It the Hard Way”: David Warner Reflects on Gritty Win Over Lahore Qalandars

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner praised his side’s resilience after they secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Warner admitted the win did not come easily but highlighted the importance of grinding out results in tight contests.

“We did it the hard way. As you just said, Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled absolutely outstanding. A great spell, four wickets. But look, it was a bit tighter than I would like. But it’s good to have two wins from two,” Warner said.

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Reflecting on the high-intensity contest between the two rivals, Warner described it as a perfect showcase for the tournament.

“It’s a great game for the tournament, actually, Lahore versus Karachi on a Sunday night. We absolutely loved it,” he stated.

The Karachi Kings skipper also credited his bowling unit for setting up the victory, particularly highlighting the combined effort of the spin and pace departments.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“Our spinners bowled fantastically in tandem. And I think [pacers] [Mir] Hamza and Hasan [Ali] were fantastic as well. Us squeezing in the middle and bowling in partnerships, which is really helping us at the moment. I think the spinners are licking their lips,” he said.

David Warner also acknowledged the challenges posed by varying conditions across venues, while appreciating the efforts behind pitch preparation.

“As batsmen, you can take a few balls to adjust and adapt. It is what it is; it’s the nature of the beast when you’re playing at two venues. Credit to the curators for preparing surfaces like this and for us to come out and play,” Warner said.

READ: Shaheen Afridi comments on five-run penalty over altering ball condition

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has addressed the five-run penalty over the changing of the condition of the ball in his side’s narrow defeat to Karachi Kings during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The incident unfolded just before the final over of the Kings’ run chase, when on-field umpires inspected the ball and ruled that its condition had been altered.

Consequently, Qalandars were handed a five-run penalty, reducing the Kings’ target from 14 runs to just nine in the final six deliveries.

The momentum shift proved decisive, as Abbas Afridi struck a boundary and a six early in the over to guide Karachi Kings to a dramatic four-wicket win.

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Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Shaheen admitted he was unsure about the circumstances surrounding the decision and refrained from making immediate conclusions.

“I don’t know about this [ball tampering], and we will discuss it,” Shaheen said.

“We’ll review the footage and talk about it later. The five-run penalty does hurt, but I can’t say much right now.”

Despite the controversy, the left-arm pacer reflected positively on his team’s overall effort, particularly highlighting the competitive nature of the contest.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“It was actually a good game. We tried our best and fought till the last ball, which is what we expect from ourselves,” he said.

“Both teams were in a similar position. A total of around 120 is usually chased comfortably, but the way our bowlers fought showed the effort from the side.”

Shaheen Afridi also dismissed suggestions of a psychological disadvantage against Karachi Kings, who extended their head-to-head lead over Lahore with the victory.

“There is no mental block. My team fought till the final ball, and that’s what matters to me,” he concluded.

READ: Karachi Kings edge Lahore Qalandars in low-scoring thriller

LAHORE: Karachi Kings held their nerve in a tense finish to register a four-wicket victory over defending champions Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring encounter during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 129 on a tricky surface, Karachi stumbled early but recovered just in time to cross the line with three balls to spare, finishing on 131-6.

The run chase did not start as planned for the Kings as captain David Warner (8) and Salman Ali Agha (0) were both removed in the third over by the Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving the side reeling at 10-2.

Muhammad Waseem then anchored the innings with a gritty 38 off 37 deliveries, stitching together valuable partnerships of 29 and 43 with Saad Baig (19) and Moeen Ali (18), respectively, to keep the chase alive.

However, Shaheen returned to dismantle the middle order, dismissing both Waseem and Moeen in the 15th over to put Lahore firmly back in control at 88-5.

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With pressure mounting, Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan added a crucial 32-run stand, bringing the equation down to 14 required from the final over.

In a dramatic twist, a five-run penalty was awarded to Karachi after the umpires ruled the ball had been altered, reducing the target to nine off the last six deliveries.

Haris Rauf struck on the first ball of the final over, dismissing Khushdil courtesy of a sharp catch by Sikandar Raza.

But the game turned instantly as Abbas Afridi smashed a boundary and a six off the next two balls to seal a thrilling win for Karachi.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Earlier, Karachi Kings’ bowlers set up the contest with a disciplined effort to restrict Lahore to 128-9.

Moeen Ali provided an early breakthrough by removing Fakhar Zaman (1) in the opening over.

Abdullah Shafique then tried to stabilise the innings with a measured 33, adding small but useful partnerships of 25 and 28 with Mohammad Naeem (13) and Parvez Hossain Emon (12) respectively.

A 43-run stand between Haseebullah Khan (28) and Sikandar Raza (19) briefly revived Lahore’s hopes, but regular wickets ensured they never built sustained momentum.

For Karachi, Adam Zampa, Mir Hamza and Moeen Ali picked up two wickets each, while Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha and Abbas Afridi chipped in with one apiece.

READ: Erin Holland comments on her absence from PSL 11

LAHORE: Karachi Kings fast bowler Hasan Ali expressed confidence in his side’s momentum after playing a pivotal role in their thrilling 14-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Hasan starred with the ball, returning figures of 4-27 to help Karachi Kings successfully defend a total of 181-7 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Reflecting on the team’s strong start, Hasan emphasized the importance of carrying the momentum forward.

“It’s a great feeling to start the season with a win, and it was a very good victory,” Hasan said. “Hopefully, we can carry this momentum forward in the upcoming matches.”

He credited the batting unit for setting up the game and highlighted how the bowlers executed their plans despite an early setback in the power play.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“Our batters put up a very good total against Quetta, so the plan with the ball was to hit the right areas,” he explained.

“Even though we didn’t bowl as well as we wanted in the powerplay, credit goes to our spinners who bowled in the right areas and helped us make a comeback. Later, the fast bowlers capitalized on that and executed well.”

Hasan Ali also spoke about his personal comeback during the match after conceding 16 runs in his first over, stressing the importance of composure under pressure.

“It’s very important to control your nerves and stay calm,” he said.

“I strongly believe there’s always a chance to make a comeback, and cricket gives you that second opportunity. My plan was to recover those runs in my next spell and deliver for the team, and thankfully, it worked.”

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Looking ahead, the experienced pacer outlined both his individual and team ambitions for the tournament.

“There are always individual goals, like becoming the best bowler of the season,” Hasan noted.

“But more importantly, I want to perform when my team needs me the most and help lead Karachi Kings to victory. Individual and team goals go hand in hand.”

Karachi Kings will now take on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in their next fixture on Sunday, 29 March, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

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