Khushdil and Warner guide Kings to nail-biting last-over victory

Karachi Kings clinched a dramatic two-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in a last-over nail-biter, closing out their home leg of the tournament on a high. David Warner anchored the chase of 149 with a composed half-century, but a late collapse threatened to undo his efforts. In the end, Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali held their nerve, hitting a boundary each in the final over to seal a tense victory over Babar Azam’s side.

The chase began poorly for Kings as Zalmi’s standout bowler Luke Wood struck early, removing Tim Seifert with the first ball of the innings and following it up with James Vince’s wicket. Young pacer Ali Raza added to the pressure, dismantling Saad Baig’s stumps with a sharp delivery. Despite the early setbacks, Warner’s steady hand and some loose bowling from Zalmi kept the required run rate manageable during the powerplay.

Zalmi regained control in the middle overs, restricting Kings to just 24 runs between overs 7 and 11. However, Warner and Mohammad Nabi broke free in the next phase. Warner found the boundary repeatedly off Saim Ayub and Raza, while Nabi added a six and a four before his short but impactful knock came to an end.

At 44 needed off six overs, Karachi looked in control, especially with Warner past his fifty. But Wood’s slower delivery ended his knock at 60 off 47, and quick dismissals of Abbas Afridi and Aamer Jamal swung the momentum back to Zalmi. With nine runs needed from the final over and only two wickets in hand, Zalmi had no frontline bowlers left. Hussain Talat was entrusted with the last over, but Khushdil and Hasan held firm, sealing the win with boundaries that brought relief more than celebration.

Earlier, Karachi’s bowlers had laid a strong foundation. Saim Ayub fell early to Mir Hamza, and Babar Azam endured a shaky innings, surviving two chances before eventually falling LBW to Khushdil Shah after a scratchy 46 off 41 balls. Khushdil also dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore after being hit for six, showing great composure.

Babar and Mohammad Haris had steadied the innings somewhat, but the run rate never took off. Haris accelerated briefly with a 21-ball 28, while Alzarri Joseph’s cameo helped Zalmi close in on 150. But the total ultimately fell just short as Kings executed well in both innings to earn a much-needed win.

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