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Khushdil Shah’s All-Round Heroics Guide Karachi Kings to Nail-Biting Win Over Peshawar Zalmi
Karachi Clinch Thriller as Khushdil Shines with Bat and Ball
Karachi Kings emerged victorious in a last-over thriller against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium, Karachi, riding on an all-round masterclass from Khushdil Shah. His three-wicket haul and calm 23* under pressure powered the Kings to a tense two-wicket victory with just three balls to spare in this gripping Pakistan Super League (PSL) encounter.
Zalmi Struggle on Sluggish Surface Despite Late Surge
Early Wickets Dent Peshawar’s Start
After being put in to bat on a pitch that offered low bounce, Zalmi struggled early in their innings. Openers Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell cheaply, unable to adjust to the surface. The early pressure was alleviated briefly by a composed 31-run stand between captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris.
Middle Overs Collapse Hurts Momentum
Just as Zalmi were recovering, Khushdil Shah broke through by trapping Babar Azam leg-before. Haris and Hussain Talat tried to stabilize, guiding Zalmi past the 100-run mark. However, wickets tumbled in quick succession during the death overs, with Abbas Afridi grabbing three crucial scalps.
In a late twist, West Indian pacer Alzarri Joseph played a counter-attacking cameo, smashing a couple of boundaries and a six. His unbeaten 24 off 13 balls lifted Zalmi to a competitive 147/8—still a defendable total on a challenging surface.
David Warner Anchors Karachi’s Chase Before Lower-Order Drama
Early Jitters and Warner’s Rescue Act
Chasing 148, Karachi Kings had a rocky start, losing both Tim Seifert and James Vince within the first three overs. But veteran campaigner David Warner played a calm and experienced hand. Understanding the difficulty of batting on this pitch, Warner focused on strike rotation and punished loose deliveries.
He stitched key partnerships with Saad Baig, Irfan Khan, and Mohammad Nabi, ensuring Karachi kept up with the required run rate.
Khushdil’s Calm Amid Chaos
With Warner departing for a crucial 60 in the 17th over, momentum briefly swung in Zalmi’s favor. The Kings needed 29 off 21 balls, but two quick wickets—Abbas Afridi and Aamer Jamal—put the chase in jeopardy.
Khushdil Shah, however, remained composed. Having already contributed with the ball, he calmly stroked boundaries and rotated strike. With nine required off the final over, Zalmi surprisingly turned to Hussain Talat instead of a frontline bowler.
It proved costly.
Khushdil pierced backward point for four and rotated strike, leaving Hasan Ali to finish it. On the third ball he faced, Hasan pulled a short one to the fence, sealing a thrilling victory for the Kings.
Match Summary
Peshawar Zalmi: 147/8 in 20 overs
(Babar Azam 46, Mohammad Haris 28; Khushdil Shah 3/20, Abbas Afridi 3/24)
Karachi Kings: 148/8 in 19.3 overs
(David Warner 60, Khushdil Shah 23*; Luke Wood 3/28, Ali Raza 2/32)
Result: Karachi Kings won by 2 wickets
Key Takeaways
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Khushdil Shah’s all-round show earned him the Player of the Match.
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David Warner displayed his class with a composed 60.
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Alzarri Joseph’s late cameo gave Zalmi a fighting total.
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Karachi Kings registered their third win of the season.
🔗 More on PSL Scores and Stats: ESPN Cricinfo
