With three balls remaining, Karachi Kings defeated Peshawar Zalmi by two wickets to finish their home leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. Thanks to a brilliant finish by Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali, the Kings managed to hold their own against a target of 148 till the very last over. Karachi needed to end their home run on a high note after suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Islamabad United the day before.
David Warner, the captain of the home team, called the toss properly and chose to field first on a sticky field at National Stadium to start the game. Khushdil made an early impact with the ball, taking three crucial wickets, including that of captain Babar Azam, who contributed with a 41-ball 46, after Mir Hamza dismissed Saim Ayub early.
Although Mohammad Haris put up a valiant effort with a 28 off 21 balls, the run-scoring was never able to gain traction because to the frequent wicket-fall. Zalmi reached a decent total because to Alzarri Joseph’s late 24* off 13. Nevertheless, the visitors managed to record a below-average total of 147/8 as a result of their lack of acceleration in the middle overs, especially while Babar and Haris were at the crease.
Luke Wood sent Tim Seifert back to the pavilion on the first ball, ruining Karachi Kings pursuit.
Then in his second over, he got rid of James Vince. Warner scored 60 off 47 balls, adding eight boundaries to his innings while remaining cautious after the double-wicket.
Warner and Mohammad Nabi made sure to put the pursuit back on track, even though Zalmi bowled brilliantly in the middle overs, limiting Karachi to only 24 runs between the 7th and 11th. The Australian opener hammered Ali Raza and Saim Ayub for boundaries with his premeditated aggression.
A mini-collapse ensued when Warner was dismissed by Wood with 29 needed off 21; Abbas Afridi and Aamer Jamal left quickly after. Babar gave the ball to Hussain Talat, a part-time player, who needed nine runs off the last over with two wickets left. Hasan and Khushdil (23* off 17) held firm, each finding a boundary to finish off an unforgettable victory.
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