Karachi Kings moved into a strong position in the Pakistan Super League 11 playoff race after a convincing nine-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, a result that ended Quetta’s campaign.
Chasing a target of 196, Karachi made the run chase look easy as they reached the total in the 19th over with just one wicket down. The win was powered by an outstanding batting performance from David Warner and Reeza Hendricks.
The innings began positively as Jason Roy and Warner built an early partnership and took the score past 50. Roy was later dismissed for 20 runs by Jahandad Khan.
After that, Warner and Hendricks took full control of the game. Warner scored a brilliant half-century and kept the innings steady while maintaining a fast scoring rate. Hendricks also played aggressively and completed his fifty as the pair built a big partnership that pushed the score beyond 150 and out of Quetta’s reach.
Warner remained unbeaten on 89 off 48 balls with 10 fours and four sixes, while Hendricks scored an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, as Karachi secured an easy victory.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators scored 195 for 6 after batting first, but their innings started badly when Hasan Ali took two early wickets, dismissing Shamyl Hussain and Khawaja Nafay without scoring.
Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw then rebuilt the innings with an aggressive partnership, taking the team past 100. Rossouw scored 90 runs off 54 balls, while Shakeel made 57 off 34 balls before being dismissed by Rizwanullah.
Rossouw continued to attack but was later dismissed by Abbas Afridi. After his dismissal, Quetta lost momentum as wickets kept falling. Rizwanullah and Abbas Afridi took more wickets to restrict the total.
Dinesh Chandimal added an unbeaten 30 runs towards the end, helping Quetta reach 195.
Karachi’s bowling performance was balanced, with Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Rizwanullah taking two wickets each, setting up a dominant win that boosts Karachi’s chances in the tournament.
