David Warner Steers Karachi Kings to Thrilling Two-Wicket Win Over Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2025 Nail-Biter

Sports Desk

6 hours ago

In one of the most gripping encounters of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 so far, Karachi Kings edged past Peshawar Zalmi by two wickets with just three balls to spare at the National Stadium in Karachi. It was a classic T20 rollercoaster that saw David Warner’s composed 60-run knock anchoring the chase as Karachi pulled off a stunning win chasing 148.

Zalmi Falter Despite Babar Azam’s Calm Anchor

Batting first after losing the toss, Peshawar Zalmi managed a modest 147/8 in their 20 overs. Babar Azam, once again shouldered the responsibility with a steady 46 off 41 balls, holding the innings together while wickets tumbled at the other end.

Mohammad Haris provided a brisk start with 28 off 21, but the middle order failed to capitalize. Peshawar struggled to break free, thanks to tight spells from the Karachi bowling unit, especially Khushdil Shah, who was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 20 in his three overs.

Abbas Afridi also chipped in with 3 for 30, while Mir Hamza’s miserly 1 for 14 off his quota helped Karachi maintain pressure throughout Zalmi’s innings.

Warner’s Classy Knock Sets Up Karachi’s Narrow Win

Chasing 148 was never going to be easy on a slightly sticky Karachi track, and early wickets didn’t help the hosts’ cause. But David Warner, playing one of his most impactful innings in the PSL, stood tall with a fluent 60 off 47 balls, mixing calm with calculated aggression.

Wickets kept falling around him, with Luke Wood troubling the top order and finishing with 3/28, keeping the game alive for Zalmi. But Warner’s maturity under pressure and a crucial partnership with Khushdil Shah (23 off 17)* took Karachi closer to the target.

The match went down to the wire, with Karachi at 8 wickets down in the 20th over needing just a couple of strokes to seal it. Khushdil kept his cool, finishing off the game with three balls to spare as Karachi posted 148/8 in 19.3 overs.

Turning Points of the Match

Warner’s anchor innings: Steady yet aggressive when required. His knock turned out to be the backbone of the chase.
Khushdil Shah’s all-round brilliance: A fine bowling spell (3/20) and a composed finish with the bat.
Abbas Afridi’s fightback: His three-wicket haul gave Zalmi late hope but wasn’t enough.

Captain’s Corner

Karachi Kings skipper expressed satisfaction after the win:
“It’s these kinds of matches that test your depth and nerves. Warner was exceptional, and Khushdil’s all-round effort deserves special praise. We held our nerve in key moments.”

Peshawar Zalmi’s captain Babar Azam, though disappointed, acknowledged Karachi’s grit:
“We were 15-20 runs short. Our bowlers fought back well, but Warner played a match-winning innings. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”

What’s Next?

With this victory, Karachi Kings gain crucial momentum as the tournament heats up. Zalmi, on the other hand, will need to rework their middle-order strategy to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.