LAHORE (Dunya News) – The 32nd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, delivered a gripping contest on Wednesday as Karachi Kings posted a fighting total of 182-9 in their 20 overs, setting Peshawar Zalmi a target of 183 runs.
Karachi Kings opted to bat first after winning the toss, aiming to build early momentum in a crucial fixture. The innings began with intent as skipper David Warner and Jason Roy started cautiously before shifting gears in typical aggressive fashion.
Roy, in particular, stood out with a commanding knock of 85 off 51 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes. His innings provided the backbone of Karachi’s total, anchoring partnerships while accelerating at key moments. Warner contributed 11 runs before being dismissed by Ali Raza, who struck early to break the opening stand.
Reeza Hendricks added 13 runs, while Salman Ali Agha scored 12 off nine balls before falling to Aaron Hardie. Azam Khan injected late energy into the innings with a brisk 35 off 19 deliveries, smashing three fours and three sixes, helping Karachi push beyond the 150-mark.
Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi also chipped in briefly in the lower order, but the innings was constantly disrupted by breakthroughs from Zalmi’s bowling attack.
The spotlight, however, firmly belonged to Peshawar Zalmi’s Ali Raza, who produced one of the standout bowling performances of PSL 11 so far. He finished with four wickets, including a sensational hat-trick in the final over, shifting the momentum dramatically in Zalmi’s favour.
Ali Raza first dismissed David Warner for 11, breaking the early rhythm of Karachi’s innings. He later returned in the final over when Karachi were looking to finish strongly and turned the match on its head.
His final over was pure drama. Abbas Afridi was involved in a run-out for 6, followed by Khushdil Shah’s dismissal off a hit-wicket for 12 on the very next ball. The bowler then delivered a sharp, precise yorker to remove Shahid Aziz before completing his hat-trick by dismissing Hasan Ali on the very last ball of the innings for a first-ball duck.
Sufiyan Muqeem and Iftikhar Ahmed also contributed with a wicket each, ensuring Karachi never fully broke free despite strong batting spells.
The bowling display ensured that despite Jason Roy’s brilliance, Karachi Kings were restricted to a total that remains competitive but far from comfortable.
Karachi Kings set a target of 183 at the Gaddafi Stadium.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #KKvPZ pic.twitter.com/QEbdGdBUFf
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 22, 2026Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, entered the match in dominant form, having already secured a place in the playoffs and sitting at the top of the PSL 11 points table with seven wins from eight matches, with one game washed out.
In contrast, Karachi Kings found themselves under pressure, positioned seventh on the table with only three wins from seven outings, making this fixture vital for their survival in the tournament race.
The match at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium added further intensity to an already high-stakes encounter, with Karachi needing a strong performance to stay in contention.
Elsewhere in the tournament schedule, another fixture was set for later in the evening at National Stadium, Karachi, featuring Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans, with the latter currently placed second in the standings.