Babar Azam’s lone battle falls short as Karachi Kings storm into PSL X playoffs

RAWALPINDI: On a Saturday drenched in runs, Babar Azam’s valiant 94-run masterclass wasn’t enough to carry Peshawar Zalmi over the line, as Karachi Kings cemented their playoff berth in spectacular fashion, defeating Zalmi by 23 runs in a high-octane Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season X clash.

Chasing a towering 238, Zalmi came close but never quite looked in control, as Babar Azam fought a lonely battle against the odds. The Peshawar skipper dazzled the crowd with a 49-ball knock laced with elegance and power, blasting ten boundaries and four towering sixes. But with wickets tumbling around him and support drying up, Babar’s run-out spelled doom for Zalmi’s hopes, despite a promising 77-run second-wicket stand with Saim Ayub (47).

None of the remaining Zalmi batters managed to anchor the innings or match the required tempo, ultimately falling short despite Babar’s brilliance.

With this emphatic win, Karachi Kings not only secured their place in the playoffs — a spot that was virtually theirs — but also gave themselves a strong push towards a top two finish, keeping their championship dreams alive.

The day, however, truly belonged to the Karachi Kings’ batting juggernaut. Earlier, after losing debutant Ben McDermott for a golden duck, Karachi launched a relentless assault on the Zalmi bowling attack, led by a mesmerizing 162-run stand between captain David Warner (86) and James Vince (72). The duo combined composure with carnage, making a mockery of the bowling and racing past milestones.

James Vince, in sublime touch, not only completed a personal landmark of 12,000 T20 career runs but also leapfrogged Mohammad Rizwan as the top scorer of this PSL edition. His 42-ball innings featured 11 crisp boundaries and a towering six, showcasing vintage Vince fluency. Warner matched him stroke for stroke, hammering 11 fours and two sixes in his 50-ball blitz that firmly put Zalmi on the back foot.

Just when Zalmi thought the storm had passed, Khushdil Shah (41 not out off 15) and Mohammad Nabi (26 not out off 10) delivered the knockout punch, slamming 68 runs in just 23 balls. The final over, bowled by a helpless Ahmad Danyal (0-66), went for 24 runs — courtesy of Khushdil’s audacious hitting, which included three massive sixes and four boundaries.

Karachi ended their innings at a towering 237 for 4, a total that not only set a daunting challenge but also underscored their batting depth and form at the business end of the tournament.

For Zalmi, only Luke Wood (2-19) showed any resistance with the ball, as the rest of the attack suffered under the relentless onslaught.

The loss now puts Peshawar Zalmi in a must-win scenario. To preserve their proud record of making the playoffs in every single PSL season, they must beat Lahore Qalandars in Sunday’s crucial encounter — a high-stakes battle that promises no less fireworks.

As for Karachi Kings, the message to the rest of the league is loud and clear: the Kings have roared — and they are far from done.