Tag: Karachi Kings

Karachi: Karachi Kings head coach Ravi Bopara praised his side’s team balance and composure under pressure after their thrilling win against Peshawar Zalmi.

Karachi Kings successfully chased down 148 runs, losing eight wickets with three balls to spare on a challenging batting surface in the 11th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.

The home team got off to a poor start in their chase, as Tim Seifert was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. The in-form batter James Vince followed soon after, departing for 11, leaving Karachi in early trouble at 19-2 in 2.5 overs.

After a shaky start, Saad Baig partnered with skipper David Warner, and together they took the team’s score to 42 before Baig was bowled by Ali Raza, having scored 9 off 8 balls.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Subsequently, Irfan Khan contributed 10 runs, while Mohammad Nabi added 14, while David Warner remained firm at the other end. Warner’s innings came to an end in the 17th over after scoring 60 off 47 balls.

However, it was Player of the Match Khushdil Shah who anchored the final stages with a calm unbeaten 23, guiding the team home in the last over.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Luke Wood took three wickets, while Ali Raza claimed two wickets.

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While speaking in the post-match press conference, Karachi Kings head coach Ravi Bopara praised the fans’ enthusiasm and acknowledged the tough playing conditions.

“Fans witnessed a thrilling contest on a challenging wicket — and I am sure they [Fans] enjoyed every bit of it, ” he remarked.

Bopara discussed the challenges of sticking to a single combination due to changing pitches and noted the advantage of having a versatile squad.

“It’s very difficult to stick with one combination on varying pitches. The conditions play a major part, and having the luxury of different players is always good,” he said.

Bopara confirmed Zahid Mehmood was being considered, but the team chose the best XI for the specific conditions of today’s pitch.

“We will definitely take Zahid Mehmood into consideration. We went with the best eleven for today’s pitch,” Bobara added.

The head coach also emphasized the importance of team selection and adaptability under pressure, noting the depth of the Karachi Kings’ batting line-up.

“Playing under pressure is how players grow. We know it’s not the most solid middle order, but our long batting line-up helps cover it up,” he explained.

Bopara praised Khushdil Shah, emphasizing his vital role in the team, especially in current conditions, and credited him for delivering

“Khushdil is a major part of Karachi Kings. The role he plays in the team, especially in these conditions, is very vital. Credit to him—he delivered.”

READ: PSL 10: Karachi Kings edge Peshawar Zalmi in last-over thriller

KARACHI: A combined batting and bowling performance led Karachi Kings to a two-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi in the 11th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Monday. 

Karachi Kings successfully chased down 148 runs, losing eight wickets with three balls to spare on a challenging batting surface.

The home team got off to a poor start in their chase, as Tim Seifert was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. The in-form batter James Vince followed soon after, departing for 11, leaving Karachi in early trouble at 19-2 in 2.5 overs.

After a shaky start, Saad Baig partnered with skipper David Warner, and together they took the team’s score to 42 before Baig was bowled by Ali Raza, having scored 9 off 8 balls.

Subsequently, Irfan Khan contributed 10 runs, while Mohammad Nabi added 14, while David Warner remained firm at the other end. Warner’s innings came to an end in the 17th over after scoring 60 off 47 balls.

However, it was Khushdil Shah who anchored the final stages with a calm unbeaten 23, guiding the team home in the last over.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

For Peshawar Zalmi, Luke Wood took three wickets, while Ali Raza claimed two wickets.

Earlier, a three-wicket haul each from Abbas Afridi and Khushdil Shah helped Karachi Kings prevent Peshawar Zalmi from reaching a formidable total.

Put into bat first, Peshawar Zalmi managed to score 147 for the loss of eight wickets in their allocated 20 overs.

Peshawar Zalmi struggled their way to 36-2 in 6.5 overs, which saw them lose Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore to Mir Hamza and Khushdil Shah.

However, Babar Azam held firm at one end and forged a brief partnership of 31 runs with Mohammad Haris, taking Zalmi’s score to 67 in 10 overs. He remained the top scorer with a gritty 46 off 41 balls, hitting seven fours, before being adjudged LBW to Khushdil Shah’s delivery.

Following Babar’s dismissal, the experienced all-rounder Hussain Talat joined Haris in the middle to try to steady the innings.

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The duo batted cautiously, adding 37 runs for the fourth wicket before Talat fell victim to Aamir Jamal’s slower delivery. He departed after hitting 18 runs off 16 balls, which included three boundaries.

Talat’s wicket triggered a significant collapse, leading Zalmi to lose four additional wickets in quick succession, including their established batter Haris. As a result, they concluded their innings at 147 for eight in 20 overs.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi and Khushdil Shah each took three wickets, while Jamal and Mir Hamza secured one wicket apiece.

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alazri Joseph, Arif Yaqoob, Ali Raza

READ: PSL 10: Mohammad Rizwan eyes turnaround for Multan Sultans at home

KARACHI: Karachi Kings have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi in the 11th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Monday. 

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Mitch Owen, Abdul Samad, Luke Wood, Alazri Joseph, Arif Yaqoob, Ali Raza

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

HEAD TO HEAD

Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi have played each other 21 times since the inception of the PSL. Peshawar Zalmi has a better record with 15 wins, while the Kings have secured 6 wins.

RECORD: Matches 21, Karachi Kings 6, Peshawar Zalmi 15

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The highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 will run from Friday, 11 April, to Sunday, 18 May.

This thrilling six-team showdown will feature a total of 34 electrifying matches, captivating cricket fans across the nation.

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: Rumman Raees leaves Islamabad United camp amid family tragedy

Karachi Kings’ captain, David Warner, emphasised the importance of the team performing at its best in order to recover from their six-wicket loss to Islamabad United during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 match at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking after the match, Warner admitted the side didn’t quite hit their stride, particularly with the bat.

“It was always going to be difficult; losing the toss doesn’t help,” he said. “We need to try and get into positions where we can post a good score. It was a bit up and down—we were probably 20 runs short of a competitive total.”

Karachi Kings posted 128-7 after being sent in to bat, with Tim Seifert top-scoring with 30 (37), while Mohammad Abbas Afridi added late impetus with a 9-ball 24*.

But with United’s bowlers firing on all cylinders, Naseem Shah, Jason Holder, and Shadab Khan picking up two wickets each, it proved insufficient.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

David Warner, who fell early to a peach from Naseem Shah, pointed out the difficulty of reading the surface.

“We play on the same wicket on Monday, so we know how it’s going to behave. We need to assess how we go about our batting,” he added. “We need to work out how we’re going to hit boundaries and how we approach the first six overs.”

While Warner acknowledged his own eye-catching catch, running back to dismiss in-form Sahibzada Farhan, he downplayed the effort with trademark humility: “It went up and I did what I know, ran back and kept my eyes on it. It was a fluke at the end of the day.”

Among the few positives for the Kings was the continued impact of Hasan Ali, who removed both Sahibzada Farhan and Colin Munro in a fiery fifth over.

“His experience is great—he spearheads our attack,” Warner said. “It’s great to have his class and calibre. He’s in good rhythm, and hopefully he can continue and find more success.”

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Karachi Kings were initially considered to have a home advantage with five straight matches in Karachi, but Warner hinted that the narrative may not be holding up.

“We were told having five games here was an advantage, but you can see now that it isn’t,” he added. “The dew has been inconsistent—it’s hard to tell what’s going to happen. For us, it’s just about playing good cricket.”

With a short turnaround before facing Peshawar Zalmi on Monday night, Warner was clear about the team’s focus.

“We just need to play our best game. We need to focus on our powerplay batting and building partnerships.”

The Kings will be eager to bounce back and keep their campaign alive as they return to the field today.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan eyes national recall with strong PSL 10 performances

KARACHI: Karachi Kings assistant coach Mohammad Masroor has vowed to make a comeback after defeat against Islamabad United on Sunday in the 10th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Chasing a modest total of 129 runs, the defending champions knocked the winning runs comfortably, losing three wickets in the process with 17 balls to spare.

Islamabad United were off to a solid start in pursuit of the target, posting 34 runs in four overs. The stand between Azam Khan and Sahibzada Farhan came to an end with the latter’s dismissal.

Sahibzada Farhan, the leading run-scorer in PSL 10, was caught after scoring 31 off 18 deliveries, an innings featuring five fours and one six. Colin Munro (4) was also dismissed in the same over, providing a brief opening for Karachi Kings.

However, the promoted opener Azam Khan remained firm at one end, forging a 65-run partnership with Shadab Khan. His gutsy 31 off 30 deliveries included three fours and one huge six.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Player of the Match Shadab Khan top-scored with a composed 47 off 40 balls, laced with five fours and two sixes.

For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali was the stand-out bowler, taking two for 28 in his four overs while both Abbas Afridi and Mohammad Nabi claimed one wicket each.

While speaking to the media in the post-match press conference, Masroor shared his thoughts on the team’s decisions and pitch conditions.

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“We won the first two matches because of Karachi Kings top-order. We have a strong core and we will bounce back in the next match,” he said.

Masroor revealed that had there been a left-handed batter, they would have introduced Mohammad Nabi earlier into the attack. He explained that the pitch supported both spinners and fast bowlers.

“Two right-handers were playing; had a left-hander been present, we would have used Nabi. We aimed for pace because the pitch was equally supportive of fast bowlers,” he remarked.

“Our overseas players are performing well. If pitches continue to improve, they’ll be able to contribute even more,” he added.

Speaking about his role, Masroor mentioned that he assists head coach Ravi Bopara in understanding the local players better. He also pointed out that the pitch was made using Australian soil, which made it slightly tricky to read.”

“I assist him [Ravi Bopara] in understanding the local players. We were expecting more bounce here, but this wicket wasn’t exactly ideal for T20 cricket,” he concluded.

READ: PCB responds to former coach’s claim of unpaid dues

KARACHI: Islamabad United maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament with a convincing six-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in the 10th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Sunday. 

Chasing a meagre total of 129 runs, the defending champions knocked the winning runs comfortably, losing three wickets in the process with 17 balls to spare.

Islamabad United were off to a good start in pursuit of the target, posting 34 runs in four overs. The stand between Azam Khan and Sahibzada Farhan came to an end with the latter’s dismissal.

Sahibzada Farhan, the leading run-scorer in PSL 10, was caught after scoring 31 off 18 deliveries, an innings featuring five fours and one six. Colin Munro (4) was also dismissed in the same over, providing Karachi Kings a glimmer of hope.

However, the promoted opener Azam Khan remained firm at one end, forging a 65-run stand with Shadab Khan. Azam struck three fours and one towering six in his gutsy 31 off 30 deliveries.

Player of the Match Shadab Khan top-scored with 47 off 40 balls, laced with five fours and two sixes.

For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali remained the stand-out bowler, taking two for 28 in his four overs while both Abbas Afridi and Mohammad Nabi claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Abbas Afridi’s late blitz took Karachi Kings to a fighting total against Islamabad United.

Islamabad United’s captain, Shadab Khan, won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that proved beneficial as they restricted the Karachi Kings to 128 runs in their 20 overs.

The defending champions jolted the Kings with early wickets in bowler-friendly conditions. Naseem Shah led the attack, dismissing the Kings’ skipper, David Warner, for just 3 runs in the second over with a beautiful delivery. The in-form batter James Vince also went early in the third over, scoring only 4 runs.

Following the early hiccup, opener Tim Seifert and emerging batter Saad Baig forged a brief partnership of 39 runs, taking the score to 61 in nine overs. The stand ended with Baig’s dismissal, who fell prey to Shadab Khan.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The left-hander managed to score 20 off 17 deliveries with the help of four boundaries. Tim Seifert, scratchy innings came to an end as he was caught and bowled by Imad Wasim. The right-hander battled through his 30 off 37 deliveries, featuring only one four.

The undefeated side in the PSL 10 applied consistent pressure, taking wickets at regular intervals. The Kings’ middle-order batters, Khushdil Shah (17) and Irfan Khan (5) struggled in testing conditions, and were removed cheaply in quick succession.

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The home team was once reeling at 102-7 in 18 overs, before Abbas Afridi’s late blitz took them to a fighting total. The all-rounder smashed three sixes in his nine-ball 24, Karachi Kings accumulated 26 runs in the last two overs of the innings, lifting them to 128 in 20 overs.

For Islamabad United, Naseem Shah, Jason Holder, and Shadab Khan each took two wickets in an impressive bowling display.

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan (wk), Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Shadab Khan (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah

Karachi Kings: Tim Seifert (wk), David Warner (c), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza

READ: Fatima Sana named captain of ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers Team

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the 10th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Sunday. 

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan (wk), Colin Munro, Haider Ali, Shadab Khan (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah

Karachi Kings: Tim Seifert (wk), David Warner (c), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

HEAD TO HEAD

Karachi Kings and Islamabad United have played each other 22 times since the inception of the PSL. Islamabad United has a better record with 16 wins, while the Kings have managed to secure 6 wins.

RECORD: Matches 22, Karachi Kings 6, Islamabad United  16

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The highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 will run from Friday, 11 April, to Sunday, 18 May.

This thrilling six-team showdown will feature a total of 34 electrifying matches, captivating cricket fans across the nation.

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: Fatima Sana named captain of ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers Team

Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, who returned to the playing XI for Karachi Kings in Friday’s clash against Quetta Gladiators, credited a complete team performance for their 56-run win at the National Bank Stadium.

Playing his first match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, Hamza made an instant impact by dismissing Finn Allen in the very first over.

His early breakthrough set the tone for Karachi’s bowling attack, which restricted the Gladiators to just 119-9 while defending a target of 176.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mir Hamza expressed his delight over the victory and praised the team’s all-around effort.

“Whenever you win, there’s obviously happiness. We’ve won two out of our three matches so far, and what’s most encouraging is the manner of our wins—by big margins,” he said.

“Whether you look at our top order, middle order, or the bowling, everyone has contributed well. Our fielding has been excellent too.

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“When every player makes small but meaningful contributions, it builds confidence going into the next matches. That’s a very positive sign for any team.”

Reflecting on the playing conditions and team strategy, Hamza said the pitch played differently compared to the previous two games, and the team had to adjust accordingly.

“Today’s pitch was different from the last two matches. Our main target while batting first was to somehow get to 170-180, and we managed to achieve that,” he added.

“The pitch was slow, and once the ball got older after the powerplay, back-of-length deliveries weren’t coming on to the bat nicely.

“That’s why our plan while batting was to get to 170-180, and we were successful. In bowling, too, we executed the same plan, knowing those kinds of deliveries would be harder to play. Overall, everything went well today.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

When asked about the low turnout of fans in Karachi and what Karachi Kings are doing to bring the crowd back, Mir Hamza responded with a smile:

“Right now, we’re trying to bring the crowd back by winning matches. We’ve won two out of three, and I think the way we’ve started, hopefully the crowd will show up in greater numbers in the upcoming games.”

He was also full of praise for new captain David Warner, highlighting his leadership qualities and the environment he has created in the dressing room.

“It’s been a really good experience playing under David Warner. The best thing about him is how he backs his players, maintains a great dressing room atmosphere, and trusts everyone,” he said.

“These things become especially important when a team loses. When we lost a match, he was still backing both batters and bowlers – and that kind of support is a huge positive for any team. Warner is not just a great captain, but also a great leader and team man.”

READ: ‘Too shy to seek advice’: Former Pakistan legend comments on Babar Azam’s struggles

KARACHI: Karachi Kings fast bowler Hasan Ali made history on Friday in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 match against Quetta Gladiators, becoming the all-time leading wicket taker in the tournament.

Hasan Ali broke Wahab Riaz’s record for the most wickets in the tournament during the second over of the match at the National Bank Stadium.

Hasan Ali achieved this milestone by dismissing Gladiators opener Hasan Nawaz, thanks to an outstanding catch from Khushdil Shah.

The vice-captain of Karachi Kings achieved the feat in his 84th innings, three innings fewer than Wahab Riaz.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Most wickets in PSL

• Hasan Ali: 116 wickets in 84 innings
• Wahab Riaz: 113 wickets in 87 innings
• Shaheen Shah Afridi: 108 wickets in 74 innings
• Shadab Khan: 97 wickets in 86 innings
• Faheem Ashraf: 79 wickets in 73 innnings

Hasan Ali has been performing well this PSL season. He took a four-wicket haul in the match against Lahore Qalandars.

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Although Hasan Ali had a relatively expensive outing against the Multan Sultans, where he conceded 44 runs for one wicket, Hasan made a strong comeback in the next match against the Qalandars with a sensational spell.

James Vince’s half-century and Mohammad Nabi’s late blitz powered Karachi Kings to a challenging total against Quetta Gladiators in the eighth match of PSL.

After opting to bat, Karachi Kings posted 175 for the loss of seven wickets in their allocated 20 overs.

The Kings capitalized on the decision early, posting a score of 60 runs in 5.4 overs. Skipper David Warner and Tim Seifert led the charge with aggressive batting. Their partnership ended with the dismissal of Warner.

James Vince was the top scorer with 70 off 47 balls, striking six fours and one six. His innings helped Karachi Kings in posting a challenging total against Gladiators.

READ: James Vince’s 70 takes Karachi Kings to 175 against Quetta Gladiators