Tag: Karachi Kings

Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi remained composed despite a close four-wicket defeat against Karachi Kings in a rain-affected Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.

The Qalandars, in a shortened 15-over contest, posted a strong 160/8, a total powered by blistering half-centuries from openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman.

Naeem led the charge with a fiery 65 off 29 deliveries, smashing six fours and five sixes, while Fakhar chipped in with a 33-ball 51 featuring four boundaries and three maximums.

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Chasing a revised target of 168, the Kings rode on Irfan Khan Niazi’s explosive unbeaten 48 off 21 balls, laced with five sixes and two fours, to cross the finish line with three balls to spare and six wickets down.

His onslaught included three consecutive sixes off Shaheen’s over — a decisive moment in the contest. But Shaheen remained unfazed, taking the loss in stride.

“It’s all part of the game. Whoever plays better cricket on the day deserves to win,” Shaheen said post-match. “It’s not the end of the tournament — we’ll come back stronger when we meet them again in the knockouts.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The left-arm pacer also pointed out that rain altered the dynamics of the game.

“It was a used pitch, not easy to bat on early. But once the rain came, the ball started coming on better and that shifted the momentum,” he noted.

Shaheen Afridi reserved special praise for Mohammad Naeem, who continued to impress at the top of the order.

“Naeem is a special talent. He’s going to be crucial for us in the upcoming matches,” he added. “We’ll take the positives from this game, address the areas we fell short in, and aim to bounce back stronger.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi’s Mitchell Owen set to join Punjab Kings for IPL 2025

Put into bat, Lahore Qalandars posted 160 for the loss of eight wickets in 15 overs.

The home side openers were off to a flyer, scoring 90 for the loss of one wicket in just 7.5 overs. Mohammad Naeem led the charge after receiving a reprieve early in the innings due to a dropped catch by Amir Jamal.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

He dominated Karachi Kings fast bowler Hasan Ali, scoring 22 runs in the second last over of the powerplay, thus reaching his consecutive half-century in the process.

The right-handed batter was eventually dismissed after a brisk 65 off 29 deliveries, laced with five sixes and six fours. It was all going the Qalandars’ way before rain halted play.

Following the rain break, the momentum shifted towards the Karachi Kings, who reduced Qalandars to 122 for 3 in 11 overs despite a 16-run over from Amir Jamal.

Abbas Afridi took two wickets in consecutive deliveries during the 11th over, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Daryl Mitchell, which brought Kings back into to game.

However, Fakhar Zaman helped his team in reaching a challenging total with a gutsy 51 off 33 balls, striking four fours and three sixes.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 27 in three overs. Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza Amir Jamal bagged one wicket each.

READ:  Shahnawaz Dahani replaces injured Adam Milne in Karachi Kings squad

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be a key venue, hosting 13 matches, including the Eliminators and the grand final, which promises to be a spectacular event.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will heighten the excitement with 11 action-packed matches, including the crucial Qualifier 1 on May 13.

Meanwhile, the historic National Bank Stadium in Karachi and the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five dynamic matches.

READ:  Shahnawaz Dahani replaces injured Adam Milne in Karachi Kings squad

Karachi Kings have named fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani as a replacement for injured pacer Adam Milne for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Adam Milne suffered the injury during the Kings’ second match of the season against Lahore Qalandars.

Adam Milne, who played two matches in the PSL 10, stayed with the team, and his recovery process continued. However, after consultation with the medical team, it was decided that he would not be able to participate further in the season.

Shahnawaz Dahani, known for his raw pace and energetic celebrations, brings an attacking bowling option to the Kings’ lineup.

Shahnawaz Dahani, who played for the Multan Sultans from 2021 to 2024, participated in 27 PSL matches, taking 39 wickets with an average of 20.84 and an economy rate of 9.10.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Furthermore, fast bowler Fawad Ali has been ruled out of the next few matches after sustaining a hamstring injury.

As Fawad’s replacement in the Emerging Category, Karachi Kings have included Saad Baig, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter and captain of Pakistan’s U19 team.

Saad has already featured in two matches this season, showcasing his aggressive intent, including a promising cameo against Islamabad United.

Karachi Kings are currently in fourth place on the PSL 10 points table, having achieved four wins and three losses in eight matches, for a total of eight points.

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Karachi Kings’ next match is scheduled against Lahore Qalandars on 4 May 2025, where fans can expect an exciting contest as the team pushes for a playoff spot.

Karachi Kings updated squad for PSL 10:

David Warner (C), Abbas Afridi, James Vince, Hasan Ali (VC), Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, Riazullah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Saad Baig, Mohammad Nabi, Mirza Mamoon, Ben McDermott.

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LAHORE: Karachi Kings middle-order batter Irfan Khan Niazi expressed satisfaction with both his performance and the team’s atmosphere after a dominant win over Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Chasing a daunting 205-run target, Multan Sultans crumbled under the pressure and were bowled out for a mere 117 in 16.1 overs, thanks to a dominant bowling display from Karachi Kings bowlers.

The defeat marked the end of the road for the Sultans in this PSL, after they managed only one win in eight games.

Multan Sultans started poorly in the chase, losing their in-form batter Mohammad Rizwan for a golden duck in the second over. Their batting line could not rise to the occasion in a do-or-die encounter, eventually folding out for a mere total.

Irfan Khan played a crucial knock in challenging times for the team, helping Karachi Kings cross the 200-run mark.

During the post-match press conference, Irfan Khan reflected on Karachi Kings’ last season performance, admitting that the team struggled to find the right balance, but this year they have a strong team.

“Our combination wasn’t great last year. This time, we’ve stepped onto the field with a much better combination,” he said.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Irfan, who scored a composed 40 off 33 balls, said his knock boosted his self-belief.

“Playing today’s innings has increased my confidence, ” Irfan Khan remarked.

He also praised the positive atmosphere in the dressing room while aiming to make consistent contributions to the team.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is very good,” he shared. “I’ll try to play my part in Karachi’s wins with the bat in the upcoming matches.”

He also lauded the impact of the overseas players, noting that their contributions are a big plus for the team.

“Our foreign cricketers are in good form, which is a big plus for us,” Irfan Khan concluded.

READ: James Vince credits openers, bowlers for dominant win against Multan Sultans

LAHORE: James Vince, the top-order batter for Karachi Kings, praised the openers and bowlers for securing an impressive 87-run victory against Multan Sultans in the 20th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Chasing a daunting 205-run target, Multan Sultans crumbled under the pressure and were bowled out for a mere 117 in 16.1 overs, thanks to a dominant bowling display from Karachi Kings bowlers.

The defeat marked the end of the road for the Sultans in this PSL, after they managed only one win in eight games.

Multan Sultans started poorly in the chase, losing their in-form batter Mohammad Rizwan for a golden duck in the second over. Their batting line could not rise to the occasion in a do-or-die encounter, eventually folding out for a mere total.

James Vince clinched the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his gutsy 65 off 45 deliveries.

While sharing his thoughts during the post-match presentation, James Vince emphasized the importance of bouncing back after a break.

“The competition’s been a bit stop-start for us—win one, lose one—so it was important to bounce back with a win today after the mini break,” he said.

He gave credit to the openers for laying a solid foundation while acknowledging the bowlers for a clinical display.

“I thought the openers gave us a fantastic start, which really set the tone. As the ball got older, batting became a bit trickier—I didn’t find it that easy out there. But posting 200 on this pitch was always going to be a challenging target, and full credit to the bowlers for finishing the job,” said Vince.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The right-handed batter highlighted the importance of strategic thinking, particularly the ability to read the pitch.

“In T20s, it’s crucial to assess the wicket early—some days it’s a 200-run pitch, other days you need to be a bit smarter with your approach.

“The key is to read the conditions quickly and make sure you don’t let the opposition back into the game. It’s all about adapting and executing the right plans on the day,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 10: Lahore Qalandars-Quetta Gladiators match called off due to rain

Multan Sultans: Yasir Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Usman Khan (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Curtis Campher, Iftikhar Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah.

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Omair Bin Yousuf, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fawad Ali, Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Mir Hamza.

The highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, which kicked off on Friday, 11 April, is in full swing and will continue till Sunday, 18 May, featuring a total of 34 electrifying matches in this thrilling six-team showdown.

Matches are being held across four iconic venues: Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will also host the Eliminators and the grand final; Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the stage for the crucial Qualifier 1; the historic National Bank Stadium in Karachi; and the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium.

Each venue has contributed to the tournament’s nationwide buzz, offering fans unforgettable moments and fierce contests.

READ: Saud Shakeel reveals he faces up to ‘1000 balls’ daily in practice

Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has expressed his admiration for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), stating that he is impressed by the talent and depth in the league. 

The seasoned right-hander, who joined Karachi Kings after being picked in the supplementary category, spoke about his experience in PSL during an exclusive interview with ARY News.

Kane Williamson expressed his joy at being part of the PSL for the first time after hearing so many positive things.

“It’s great to be here and experience the PSL after seeing it from afar and heard a lot of really good things,” he said.

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Williamson lauded the talent pool in the PSL while stressing the need for Karachi Kings’ to carry on their winning momentum.

“You see the depth of quality here. So it’s great to be a part of it. We have a strong team that’s looking to keep improving, so hopefully we can do so in the remaining matches, ” he said.

The 34-year-old commented on Karachi Kings’ narrow loss against Quetta Gladiators, admitting that there are certain areas for improvement that they had worked on.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“The team largely is playing really well, and to be honest for the probably 75 per cent last game, we were right on top, and you know, there are areas we want to improve on from that game and those conversations have been had, so hopefully we can go out and put together strong performances,” said Williamson

The veteran batter also shed light on his role with the Karachi Kings, stating that his focus is on adding value wherever possible.

“My role is just like adding value wherever I can, and like I say, it’s very nice to be here, ” he concluded.

For the unversed, Karachi Kings will return to the field on May 1, facing Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The Kings will then take on Lahore Qalandars on May 4 and Peshawar Zalmi on May 8, before concluding their group stage campaign against defending champions Islamabad United on May 10.

Under the leadership of David Warner, the Kings currently sit fourth on the points table, with three wins from six matches in PSL 10.

READ: David Boon retires as ICC Match Referee

Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has revealed his favourite Pakistani foods while sharing his excitement about representing Karachi Kings in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

The seasoned right-hander, who joined Karachi Kings after being picked in the supplementary category during the PSL 10 draft, spoke about his experiences in Pakistan during a recent appearance on ARY News’ Bakhabar Savera.

Reflecting on his return to the country following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Williamson said he was looking forward to donning the Karachi Kings jersey.

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“We have got Warner as captain, who I know well and have played a lot with. I am looking forward to joining him again and the other team members that we have on the side,” Kane Williamson shared.

When asked about Pakistani cuisine, the former New Zealand captain fondly mentioned biryani and paratha as his favourites.

“A favourite of mine and one that I have had on a number of occasions would be biryani. The breads over here are outstanding. You have got to be careful if you have too many of them. So, I love a bit of paratha,” he said with a smile.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The warm words of Kane Williamson have further strengthened the bond between fans and the Karachi Kings squad, with supporters excited to see the Kiwi maestro in action during the crucial second half of the tournament.

Karachi Kings will return to the field on May 1, facing Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The Kings will then take on Lahore Qalandars on May 4 and Peshawar Zalmi on May 8, before concluding their group stage campaign against defending champions Islamabad United on May 10.

Under the leadership of David Warner, the Kings currently sit fourth on the points table, with three wins from six matches in PSL 10.

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