Peshawar vs Karachi, PSL 10 Apr 21 2025 Match Highlights

Match Summary

• Peshawar Zalmi: 147/8 (20 overs)
  • Babar Azam – 46 (41)
  • Mohammad Haris – 28 (21)
  • Khushdil Shah – 3/13
• Karachi Kings: 148/8 (19.3 overs)
  • David Warner – 60 (47)
  • Khushdil Shah – 23* (17)

In an exhilarating encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Karachi Kings edged past Peshawar Zalmi in a nail-biting finish, winning the match by two wickets with just three balls to spare. The contest, held under the lights, saw drama, fluctuating fortunes, and standout performances on both sides, ultimately resulting in a narrow but hard-fought win for Karachi.

Peshawar Zalmi’s Innings: A Tale of Missed Opportunities

Batting first, Peshawar Zalmi posted a modest total of 147/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Babar Azam led from the front with a composed 46 off 41 balls, anchoring the innings and attempting to provide a solid platform. His strike rate of 112.19 might seem conservative, but his role was crucial in holding the innings together after the early dismissal of Saim Ayub for just 4 runs.

Mohammad Haris played a crucial hand in the middle, scoring an energetic 28 off 21 balls at a healthy strike rate of 133.33. He looked promising but fell before he could convert his start into a more significant score. Hussain Talat’s 18-run cameo also added valuable runs, but the middle order failed to build momentum, with players like Mitchell Owen and Abdul Samad falling cheaply.

The standout batting performance came from Alzarri Joseph, who smashed an impactful 24 off 13 balls, including two boundaries and a six. His late flourish lifted Zalmi close to a defendable total.

Karachi’s bowlers, especially Khushdil Shah, were clinical. He claimed 3 crucial wickets for 13 runs, including the prized scalp of Babar Azam. Abbas Afridi also bowled effectively, picking up 2 wickets and containing the run flow in the death overs.

Karachi Kings’ Chase: Warner Shines, Joseph Strikes Back

Chasing 148, Karachi Kings were in early trouble, losing Tim Seifert and David Warner in quick succession. However, Warner stood tall with a commanding 60 off 47 balls, anchoring the chase with confidence and composure. He struck 8 boundaries and maintained a strike rate of 127.65, giving Karachi a fighting chance.

Despite a few middle-order jitters, with quick dismissals of James Vince and Saad Baig, the Kings continued to chip away at the target. Mohammad Nabi contributed a handy 14, while Khushdil Shah played a vital finisher’s role, staying unbeaten on 23 off 17 balls with a strike rate of 135.29.

The final overs saw Karachi on the brink of collapse as wickets fell under pressure. But Hasan Ali, with a composed 6 not out off 3 balls, ensured the victory was sealed in the penultimate over.

Alzarri Joseph once again made an impact, this time with the ball, picking up the key wicket of Abbas Afridi. Ali Raza was economical and struck twice, nearly turning the tide in Zalmi’s favor.

Key Takeaways

• David Warner was the match-winner with the bat, anchoring the chase with maturity and aggression.
• Khushdil Shah proved to be the X-factor, excelling both with the ball and later with the bat.
• Zalmi’s middle order collapse cost them crucial momentum despite a decent start.
• Joseph’s all-round brilliance was a silver lining for Zalmi in a losing effort.

This clash highlighted the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket, where a few deliveries can swing the momentum. Karachi Kings will take heart from this narrow win, while Zalmi will look to reassess and bounce back stronger in the upcoming fixtures.