LAHORE: Karachi Kings produced a leading all-round performance to secure a comprehensive 87-run victory over Multan Sultans in the 20th match of PSL 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium. After posting an imposing 204/4 batting first, Karachi’s bowlers dismantled the Sultans for just 117 in 16.1 overs to seal their impressive win.
Karachi Kings showcased their batting firepower with a formidable total of 204/4 in their allocated 20 overs. The innings was built around several impactful performances. James Vince played the anchor role to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 65 off 45 deliveries (5 fours, 2 sixes). His composed yet effective knock provided stability and momentum throughout the innings. Irfan Khan made a valuable contribution of 40 from 33 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes), forming a crucial 78-run fourth-wicket partnership with Vince that stabilized the innings after early wickets.
Khushdil Shah provided the late fireworks with a blistering 33 not out from just 13 deliveries (2 fours, 3 sixes), striking at an explosive rate of 253.85. His unbeaten 66-run stand with Vince accelerated the scoring rate significantly in the death overs.
Earlier, the opening pair set the tone, with David Warner blasting 30 off 13 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) and Tim Seifert adding 22 from 11 deliveries (3 fours, 1 six), giving Karachi a flying start with a run rate of over 13 in the powerplay. Their first-wicket partnership yielded 53 runs.
After Seifert fell in the 4th over, Warner departed soon after, and when Omair Yousuf was dismissed for just 1, the Kings had slipped to 60/3 in the 6th over. However, Vince and Irfan Khan steadied the ship before Khushdil arrived to help propel the Kings past the 200-run mark.
The Sultans’ bowling attack struggled to contain Karachi’s batsmen, with Ubaid Shah claiming 2/49 but proving expensive. David Willey (1/23) was the most economical bowler, while Curtis Campher contributed with 1/27.
Chasing a daunting target of 205, Multan Sultans’ innings never gained momentum as they collapsed to 117 all out in just 16.1 overs. Mohammad Rizwan, the Sultans’ captain and key batsman, was dismissed for a duck in the second over, setting the tone for their disastrous chase. Usman Khan (1) followed soon after, leaving Sultans reeling at 20/2 in the third over.
Yasir Khan showed some resistance with 26 off 17 balls (1 four, 3 sixes) before falling in the 5th over with the score at 34. Kamran Ghulam top-scored for the Sultans with 29 from 25 deliveries (2 fours, 1 six), but received little support as wickets tumbled around him. The Sultans lost wickets at regular intervals, including a disastrous period when they lost 4 wickets for just 13 runs between the 11th and 13th overs, collapsing from 76/4 to 88/8.
Late resistance from Chris Jordan (14* off 9 balls) and Ubaid Shah (14 off 10 balls) only delayed the inevitable as Karachi completed a crushing victory. Karachi Kings’ bowling attack was led by Mohammad Nabi, who returned outstanding figures of 3/14. Khushdil Shah contributed with 2/26, showcasing his all-round value, while Mir Hamza was highly economical with 2/15. Aamer Jamal (1/14) and Abbas Afridi (1/31) also contributed to the bowling effort.
With this comprehensive victory, Karachi Kings demonstrated their all-round strength and boosted their position in the PSL 2025 standings with eight points, while Multan Sultans will need to regroup quickly after this heavy defeat.
Brief scores:
Karachi Kings 204 for four in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 22, David Warner 30, James Vince not out 65, Omair Yousuf 1, Irfan Khan 40, Khushdil Shah noy out 33; David Willey 1-23, Ubaid Shah 2-49, Curtis Campher 1-27)
Multan Sultans 117 for all in 16.1 overs (Yasir Khan 26, Mohammad Rizwan 0, Usman Khan 1, Kamran Ghulam 29, Curtis Campher 12, Iftikhar Ahmed 8, Michael Bracewell 2, David Willey 0, Chris Jordan not out 14, Usama Mir 1, Ubaid Shah 14; Mir Hamza 2-15, Abbas Afridi 1-31, Aamer Jamal 1-14, Khushdil Shah 2-26, Mohammad Nabi 3-14).