KARACHI: Hasan Ali and James Vince earned Karachi Kings their second win against Quetta Gladiators by 56 runs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL X) on Friday.
The all-around performance from Karachi earned the home side a second win in the tournament after a humiliating defeat from Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday.
The Kings, led by David Warner, put up a solid total of 175-7 after choosing to bat first. Their openers, Warner and Tim Seifert, gave the team a strong start by scoring 50 runs during the powerplay. Warner scored 31 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed, while Seifert made 27 from 15.
After the openers fell, Quetta’s bowlers tried to apply pressure. Debutant Ali Majid impressed by taking two quick wickets, removing Muhammad Riazullah and Khushdil Shah. Despite the quick wickets, James Vince anchored the innings with a crucial 70-run knock. He was supported by Mohammad Nabi, who added 18 runs.
In the final over, Mohammad Amir took two wickets, including Vince and Nabi, to slow down the scoring. Still, the Kings managed to reach a competitive total of 175.
In reply, the Gladiators never found momentum in their chase. They lost early wickets, starting with Finn Allen, who was dismissed for six runs by Mir Hamza in the first over. In the very next over, Hasan Ali removed Hassan Nawaz for just one, becoming the all-time leading wicket-taker in PSL history with 114 wickets.
Kusal Mendis and Saud Shakeel tried to rebuild the innings, but Mendis fell for 12, and wickets kept falling regularly. Hasan Ali struck again, dismissing Khawaja Nafay, while Mohammad Nabi bowled a tight spell, including a maiden over and the important wicket of Rilee Rossouw.
The Gladiators were in deep trouble at 37-5 after six overs. Abbas Afridi also got among the wickets, reducing Quetta to 57-7 by the 12th over.
A brief 43-run stand between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Amir gave the Gladiators some hope of a fightback. Amir played a quick innings of 30 off 16 balls before being dismissed by Aamer Jamal.
Hasan Ali returned to take his third wicket of the match, removing Abrar Ahmed, and finished with figures of 3 for 27. The Gladiators could only manage 119-9 in their 20 overs. Saud Shakeel remained not out on 33, while Ali Majid added 9 runs.
For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali was the star performer with the ball. Mohammad Nabi and Abbas Afridi also picked up two wickets each.
With this win, Karachi Kings earned two points and currently sit at third in the PSL X points table. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators find themselves in fourth position after their third match.
