Warner, Vince fire Karachi into HBL PSL X playoffs with 23-run win over Peshawar

Karachi Kings qualified for the HBL PSL X playoffs after defeating Peshawar Zalmi by 23 runs in a crucial clash on Saturday night, as the tournament resumed following a brief pause due to conflict between Pakistan and India.

Karachi rode on powerful batting performances from skipper David Warner (86), James Vince (72), and Khushdil Shah (43 not out) to post a commanding 237-4. With the win, they moved to 12 points with a game in hand against Islamabad United.

The result also benefited defending champions Islamabad United, who secured a playoff spot with 10 points.

Now, the final playoff place will be decided when Zalmi (8 points) face Lahore Qalandars (9 points) on Sunday. Quetta Gladiators have already qualified with 13 points.

Babar’s brilliance

Chasing a massive 238-run target, Zalmi managed 214-5 despite a blazing knock from skipper Babar Azam, who top-scored with 94 off 49 balls.

Babar, dropped by Abbas Afridi on 3, made full use of the chance, smashing 10 fours and four sixes. He reached his second fifty of the season in 34 balls and dominated the 16th over from Aamer Jamal, which yielded 23 runs. He was eventually run out near the end of the innings.

After Mohammad Haris (9) fell early, Babar built a 70-run stand in 43 balls with Saim Ayub. Saim hit 47 from 31 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before falling to Abbas Afridi. He had earlier been dropped by wicketkeeper Saad Baig.

Babar then added 62 runs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 20 off 15 balls with one six.

Karachi’s bowling was led by Abbas Afridi with 2-48. Mir Hamza (1-33) and Hasan Ali (1-30) also picked up wickets.

Kings’ record stand

Earlier, Warner and Vince put on a record 162-run partnership for the second wicket after Ben McDermott was dismissed off the first ball of the match by Luke Wood.

The partnership surpassed the previous second-wicket record of 148 runs set by Multan Sultans’ Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan against Karachi Kings in March 2024. It was also the second-highest stand for any wicket in PSL history.

Vince was in sublime touch, scoring 72 off 42 balls with 11 fours and one six. He brought up his third fifty of the season in 29 balls before falling to Ali Raza in the 15th over.

Warner followed shortly after, caught in the deep off Arif Yaqoob. He crafted a 50-ball 86, hitting 11 fours and two sixes. It was his second fifty of the season.

The late onslaught came from Mohammad Nabi and Khushdil Shah. The duo added an unbeaten 70 off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket.

Nabi smashed 26 not out from 10 balls with three sixes and a four. He hit Ali Raza for three consecutive sixes in the penultimate over, which leaked 28 runs — the most expensive over of the innings.

Khushdil’s 15-ball 43 not out included four fours and three sixes. He hammered Ahmed Daniyal for 24 runs in the final over.

Karachi scored 57-1 in the powerplay, 100-1 after 10 overs, and 162-2 in 15 overs. They added 75 runs in the final five overs.

Luke Wood was Zalmi’s best bowler, finishing with 2-19 in four overs. Daniyal conceded 66 runs in his four overs, while Ali Raza gave away 60 in his quota. Saim Ayub, bowling two overs, went for 27 runs.