Player of the Match
Player of the Match

That concludes today's PSL doubleheader action, with the Karachi Kings now sitting at the top of the table. Make sure to join us again for more PSL action tomorrow. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of Shashwat Kumar and the rest of the crew. Sayonara!

David Warner: "Feels great to be here. Tonight was a fantastic result for us, and the way the boys played was outstanding. I think 200-plus was probably a par total on that wicket, but the way our bowlers operated through the middle was fantastic. They had a solid foundation with a good partnership, which is always hard to pull back, but we saw a fantastic innings. [Bowling unit] Yeah, it's handy. I've captained a lot of franchises around the world, and it's just great to have that artillery available. The guys have been bowling very well. The best thing is the experience in this team; I'm using their knowledge, and our bowling changes are a group decision, not just mine. We're gelling really well together. [Azam Khan's innings] That was fantastic. He just needed to come out with intent and play his way. We know what he's capable of, and he certainly knows it too. To see him come off tonight and bat in the middle like that is going to hold him in good stead for the rest of the tournament."

Player of the Match, Azam Khan: "I wasn't really satisfied with the innings because I gave away a lot of chances, but getting runs off the bat always feels nice. I practice those shots a lot. I actually had a gut feeling they might send me at number four because I think that's my ideal position after the powerplay. It ended in a win, so I'm really happy about it. [Discussion between Warner in the middle] That was a crucial partnership. We decided we had to get at least one boundary every over. Scoring 200 in a T20 game isn't as difficult as it used to be, but you still need that consistent boundary. We managed to do that and I'm happy we got the win. [Locked in the number four spot?] Listen, guys [looks at his teammates]."

Saaib Uppal: "Last match vs Lahore, Abbas Afridi came in with 9 needed off 5. Hit a four and six.Today vs Rawalpindi, Abbas Afridi came in with 5 needed off 5. Hit a six."

10:36 pm Waseem started the massive chase with the right intent but his stay was brief, departing for 23 off just 11 balls. While Warner and Salman put up a steady partnership, the required run rate continued to climb as they struggled to shift gears. However, Warner and Azam Khan eventually broke loose in the middle overs, hammering several boundaries to bring the equation under 11 runs per over. The Pindiz were uncharacteristically sloppy in the field, gifting lives and runs through dropped catches and misfields. Amir dropped Azam on 36, and though Warner was dismissed shortly after reaching a 35-ball fifty, Azam took full control. His powerful hitting shifted the momentum entirely, and even after being dropped again by Rishad on 69, the damage was done. Azam finally departed after a brilliant 74 off 34 balls, caught at deep backward point. With 5 runs needed in the final over, Mitchell made things interesting by dismissing Moeen Ali with the first delivery. However, Abbas Afridi settled the nerves immediately, smashing his first ball over long on to seal a comfortable victory. It was another tough outing for the Pindiz bowling unit, made worse by Naseem Shah exiting the game with an injury during the death overs. The bowlers were expensive, despite Mitchell claiming three wickets. Post-match presentation is coming up shortly.

Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets

19.2
6
Mitchell to Abbas Afridi, SIX, Forget the last-over thriller and super over; Abbas Afridi has smashed it over long on! The Karachi Kings extend their unbeaten streak, leaving the Pindiz still hunting for their first-ever PSL victory! Short of a length ball, stays back inside the crease and throws everything at it, connects the sweet part of the bat and muscles it over the long on region.

Abbas Afridi is the new batter in; a run-a-ball is needed now. Over the wicket

19.1
W
Mitchell to Ali, OUT, Mitchell strikes again! Length ball angling in from around the wicket, plays the big heave stroke to finish the game in style, gets beaten by the lack of bounce and hits the inner thigh pad in front of the stumps. That looks plumb, and Moeen sends it upstairs. All three reds and hitting the leg stump with the angle.

MM Ali lbw b Mitchell 5 (4m 5b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100

5 runs needed from the last 6 balls. Mitchell to bowl the last over

END OF OVER:
19 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | KK: 193/4 (5 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 10.15, RRR: 5.00)

  • Moeen Ali5 (4b)
  • Khushdil Shah5 (7b)
  • Mohammad Amir4-0-38-1
  • Mohammad Amir Khan4-0-44-0
18.6
1
Mohammad Amir to Ali, 1 run, slower bouncer delivery drags it down with the inner part of the bat to the on-side area
18.5
4
Mohammad Amir to Ali, FOUR, Picked up the slower ball this time! Slower bouncer right in the hitting zone of Moeen, who swings it away and beats the deep square leg fielder comfortably
18.4
0
Mohammad Amir to Ali, no run, another pace off ball and deceives Moeen Ali as he tries to play the pull shot
18.3
0
Mohammad Amir to Ali, no run, pace off length ball around off, tries to negate it through short third, does not connect

Moeen Ali is in at number 6

18.2
W
Mohammad Amir to Azam Khan, OUT, This time Rishad holds on to it! Length ball outside off, shimmies down the track and splices it over the backward point area; the bat face rotates as Azam hits the ball. Rishad comes around and dives in to gather it cleanly. A brilliant innings of the highest order finally comes to an end.

Azam Khan c Rishad Hossain b Mohammad Amir 74 (53m 34b 6x4 6x6) SR: 217.64

Around the wicket

18.1
4
Mohammad Amir to Azam Khan, FOUR, Drills it down the ground! Full and overpitched outside off, shuffles across early and whacks it straight past the mid-off fielder

Mohammad Amir to bowl the penultimate over.

END OF OVER:
18 | 12 Runs | KK: 184/3 (14 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 10.22, RRR: 7.00)

  • Khushdil Shah5 (7b)
  • Azam Khan70 (32b)
  • Mohammad Amir Khan4-0-44-0
  • Cole McConchie1.4-0-20-0
17.6
0
Mohammad Amir Khan to Khushdil Shah, no run, Sharp bouncer ball darted on the stumps line, swing and a miss by Khushdil
17.5
1
Mohammad Amir Khan to Azam Khan, 1 run, Dropped by Rishad now! Schoolboy stuff from the fielder there. Banged in short pitched ball and Azam plays the swivel pull shot, miscues the stroke and hits it to the right of deep midwicket. Rishad comes around and shells it under pressure.
17.4
6
Mohammad Amir Khan to Azam Khan, SIX, Magnificent hitting! Length ball in the slot, gets inside the line of the ball and whacks it straight over long on
17.3
4
Mohammad Amir Khan to Azam Khan, FOUR, Lashes it through midwicket! Back of a length ball attacking the leg stump line, backs away and swings it through the line of the ball past the midwicket sweeper fielder
17.2
1
Mohammad Amir Khan to Khushdil Shah, 1 run, hard length ball slaps it straight down the ground to long on
17.1
0
Mohammad Amir Khan to Khushdil Shah, no run, Three-quarter length ball angling away around off, plays the square cut and does not connect

Amir Khan to bowl out

END OF OVER:
17 | 19 Runs | KK: 172/3 (26 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 10.11, RRR: 8.66)

  • Azam Khan59 (29b)
  • Khushdil Shah4 (4b)
  • Cole McConchie1.4-0-20-0
  • Daryl Mitchell3-0-26-2
16.6
6
McConchie to Azam Khan, SIX, Azam Khan is breathing fire! Dealing in boundaries mostly. Length ball and heaves it away aerially over the long on ropes
16.5
6
McConchie to Azam Khan, SIX, A humongous hit to bring up his 7th PSL fifty! Short of a length ball down the leg-side, rocks back and swipes it with all his strength to send this one over square leg
16.4
4
McConchie to Azam Khan, FOUR, Whips it away! Quicker and fuller on the pads from around the wicket, flicked away powerfully and beats the sweeper fielder
16.3
1
McConchie to Khushdil Shah, 1 run, Width on offer length ball from around the wicket, walks out of the crease and slashes it hard to deep cover

Naseem is struggling with his lower back now. He's down and appears to be in severe pain, which is a worrying sight for the Pindiz. The physio has rushed out, and the players are gathering around him as he has a chat with the physio. It looks like he's heading off the field, and Rizwan is already signalling to the dugout for a helmet. Saad Masood is the substitute fielder in. McConchie to bowl the remaining deliveries.

16.2
1
Naseem Shah to Azam Khan, 1 run, Short pitched ball on the stumps channel, gets on top of the bounce and parries it down to cover
16.1
1
Naseem Shah to Khushdil Shah, 1 run, length ball on the pads glanced away to deep square leg for a single

Naseem Shah in

END OF OVER:
16 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | KK: 153/3 (45 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 9.56, RRR: 11.25)

  • Khushdil Shah2 (2b)
  • Azam Khan42 (25b)
  • Daryl Mitchell3-0-26-2
  • Rishad Hossain4-0-38-0
15.6
1
Mitchell to Khushdil Shah, 1 run, hard length ball steps out of the crease and plays off the front foot to mid-off for a quick single
15.5
1
Mitchell to Azam Khan, 1 run, Pace off ball around off, smashes it straight down the ground to long off

Over the wicket

Kings 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st27DA WarnerMuhammad Waseem
2nd43DA WarnerSalman Agha
3rd76DA WarnerAzam Khan
4th42Khushdil ShahAzam Khan
5th5MM AliKhushdil Shah
6th6Khushdil ShahAbbas Afridi

Pakistan Super League

TeamMWLPTNRR
PZ1081172.324
IU1063131.667
MS1064120.326
HHK105510-0.361
LQ105510-0.482
KK105510-0.869
QG10376-0.41
RWP10192-1.76