ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings have emerged victorious by 56 runs, successfully defending their total as Quetta Gladiators fall short. Despite a valiant fight from Saud Shakeel and some late fireworks from Mohammad Amir, Quetta Gladiators were unable to chase down the target set by Karachi Kings.
The Kings’ bowlers were outstanding, with Hasan Ali and Aamer Jamal leading the charge, dismantling Quetta’s batting line-up.
Gladiator’s Ali Majid fought to the end with back-to-back boundaries, but it is too little, too late for Quetta. Mir Hamza continued to bowl with control, but Majid showed some fight with a couple of boundaries – one off the inside edge and the other flying past the keeper.
However, it was not enough to rescue Quetta as the final wicket remains standing. The Gladiators end their innings at 119/9, leaving a modest target for the opposition
Hasan Ali wrapped things up by claiming the final wicket of Abrar Ahmed, leaving Quetta Gladiators on the verge of defeat.
Aamer Jamal struck a crucial blow by dismissing Mohammad Amir, who had played a brisk cameo of 30 runs. Amir’s aggressive intent had given Quetta a glimmer of hope, launching two sixes and a boundary in a high-impact over.
His lofted strokes—cleared over long-on and mid-wicket—were struck with impeccable timing, momentarily reigniting Quetta’s chase with an 18-run over that brought some much-needed momentum.
Game-changing spell
However, Quetta’s hopes were dented again as Abbas Afridi delivered a game-changing spell. He dismissed Sean Abbott and Faheem Ashraf in quick succession, adding to the mounting pressure on the batting side.
Faheem Ashraf’s dismissal marked the sixth wicket to fall, as Quetta slid further into trouble. Afridi’s impactful bowling put Karachi firmly in control.
Earlier in the innings, Mohammad Nabi had set the tone with a superb spell, delivering the first maiden over of the PSL 2025 season and removing Rilee Rossouw cheaply to tighten the screws on Quetta.
The Gladiators had already found themselves in trouble during the power play, with Hasan Ali in fine form. He removed Khawaja Nafay early, continuing his dominance with the ball.
Nabi also claimed a key wicket, dismissing Kusal Mendis as Quetta lost their third early on. Despite this shaky start, Mendis and Saud Shakeel briefly steadied the innings, showing composure in the third over.
Rotating the strike
Shakeel struck a classy cover drive for four, while Mendis rotated the strike well with a couple of quick singles. The pair began to look more assured at the crease.
However, the recovery was short-lived. Another wicket fell as Hasan Ali took a brilliant catch, triggering a collapse just as Mendis appeared to be finding form, having struck back-to-back boundaries.
The innings had begun with early drama. Finn Allen gave Quetta a fiery start with a six off Mir Hamza, but his aggression backfired just two balls later when he mistimed another big shot and was caught at long-on.
Smart fielding placements and disciplined bowling from Karachi ensured they seized the early advantage in the chase.
