By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Karachi Kings registered their third successive victory in the HBL PSL 11 with a tense five-wicket win over Rawalpindiz at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, condemning their opponents to a second straight defeat despite a commanding middle-order partnership.
Chasing 198, Karachi rode on a blistering 74 from Azam Khan and a composed fifty from captain David Warner to reach 199-5 with four balls to spare in a high-scoring encounter.
Rawalpindiz, powered by a 128-run fourth-wicket stand between Daryl Mitchell and Sam Billings, had earlier posted a competitive 197-6 after being sent in to bat.
Rawalpindiz got off to a brisk start, with captain Mohammad Rizwan striking four boundaries in a 13-ball 21 before falling at 28 in the third over. Early wickets of Yasir Khan and Kamran Ghulam reduced them to 55-3 inside the powerplay, bringing Mitchell and Billings together under pressure.
The duo rebuilt the innings expertly, combining caution with aggression. Mitchell struck 65 off 41 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes while Billings matched him stroke for stroke with 58 off 35 balls, including eight fours and a six.
Their partnership gathered momentum after the strategic timeout, raising a 50-run stand in 37 balls and then accelerating to a 100-run alliance in just 59 deliveries. Mitchell reached his fifty off 33 balls while Billings followed with a 29-ball fifty as Rawalpindiz surged past 150 in the 16th over.
Karachi clawed back late in the innings through Hasan Ali, who finished with 3-24, removing Billings and Mitchell in quick succession. A late flourish from Abdullah Fazal, who struck two sixes in an unbeaten 18 off seven balls, pushed Rawalpindiz close to the 200 mark.
In reply, Karachi began aggressively with Muhammad Waseem smashing 23 off 11 balls, including two sixes, before falling to Naseem Shah. Warner then anchored the innings, finding boundaries regularly in his 50 off 36 balls.
Karachi reached 70-2 in the ninth over when Salman Agha departed for 29, but the game turned decisively during the third-wicket partnership between Warner and Azam Khan. The pair added 76 runs in just 41 balls, with Azam taking charge in the latter stages.
Warner brought up his fifty with six fours and a six, but fell at 146 in the 16th over, leaving Karachi needing 52 from 28 balls. Azam, however, shifted gears dramatically, reaching his fifty in just 28 balls and finishing with 74 off 34 deliveries, including six fours and six sixes.
The required rate climbed briefly after his dismissal at 188 in the 19th over, but Khushdil Shah held his nerve and Abbas Afridi sealed the win in emphatic fashion with a first-ball six, taking Karachi to 199-5 in 19.2 overs.
Daryl Mitchell was the pick of the Rawalpindiz bowlers with 3-32 including prized scalps of Warner and Azam, but his efforts proved insufficient in the face of Karachi’s deep batting lineup.
With this result, Karachi Kings continue their upward momentum in the tournament and they now lead the points table with six points, while Rawalpindiz will be left to rue missed opportunities despite a strong total built on one of the standout partnerships of the season. They are yet to open their account after playing two matches.
Summarised scores
Rawalpindiz: 197-6 (20 overs) Daryl Mitchell 65 (41), Sam Billings 58 (35), Abdullah Fazal 18* (7), Hasan Ali 3-24, Khushdil Shah 2-37
Karachi Kings: 199-5 (19.2 overs) Azam Khan 74 (34), David Warner 50 (36), Salman Agha 29 (24), Daryl Mitchell 3-32
Result: Karachi Kings won by five wickets (4 balls remaining)
Azam Khan: Player of the Match
