Karachi Kings cruised to a commanding 56-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the eighth match of the tenth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, restricting the visitors to a paltry 119/9 while chasing a 176-run target in Karachi
Gladiators chase got off to a shaky start as opener Finn Allen fell for 6 in the very first over.
Wickets continued to tumble, with Hasan Nawaz (1), Khawaja Nafay (1), and Rilee Rossouw (1) all failing to reach double figures. Even experienced players like Kusal Mendis (12), Faheem Ashraf (3) and Sean Abbott (3) couldn’t stabilize the innings.
Despite anchoring the innings till the end, Gladiators skipper Saud Shakeel’s painfully slow knock of 33 not out off 40 balls lacked intent and failed to provide any momentum. With wickets tumbling around him at regular intervals, Quetta never looked in contention.
The highest impact with the bat came from an unlikely source, Mohammad Amir, who smashed a spirited 30 off 16 balls down the order, becoming the team’s second-highest scorer.
In a telling reflection of the Gladiators’ dismal batting performance, extras contributed 15 runs, the third-highest in the innings.
Karachi’s bowling attack, led by Hasan Ali, dismantled Quetta’s batting line-up with precision. Hasan followed up his previous four-wicket haul with another stellar spell, claiming 3/27.
Mohammad Nabi and Abbas Afridi chipped in with two wickets each, while Aamer Jamal and Mir Hamza also picked up one apiece.
Earlier, James Vince struck a commanding 70 as Karachi Kings posted a total of 175/7, recovering from a middle-order slump after a blazing 62-run opening stand.
Kings won the the toss and electing to bat first as they got off to a flying start thanks to a 62-run opening partnership between captain David Warner and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert.
Warner fell after scoring 20-ball 31, striking five boundaries before falling to Abrar Ahmed, caught by Faheem Ashraf.
However, the game began to tilt when Quetta’s spinners entered the attack. The Kings, cruising at one stage, faltered against spin, losing wickets in clusters.
Seifert hammered 27 off just 15 deliveries with six crisp boundaries before being bowled by Saud Shakeel.
Muhammad Riazullah (6 off 9) and Khushdil Shah (1 off 3) both fell cheaply to Ali Majid, while Vince at the other end tried to stabilize the innings.
Vince played a well-crafted knock of 70 off 47 balls, including six boundaries and a six, keeping Karachi afloat even as wickets tumbled.
Irfan Khan chipped in with 17 off 12 before being dismissed by Sean Abbott, and Mohammad Nabi struck a brisk 18 off 12, with two big sixes, before falling to Amir.
Karachi Kings posted 175 for 7 in their 20 overs, with Ali Majid and Mohammad Amir emerging as the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets each.
Quetta Gladiators XI: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Finn Allen, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Khawaja Nafay, Faheem Ashraf, Sean Abbott, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Majid
Karachi Kings XI: David Warner (Captain), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Muhammad Riazullah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza
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