LAHORE: Karachi Kings strengthened their playoff hopes with a 9-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
In the updated points table, Karachi rose to fourth place at the end of the league-level campaign, recording five wins and five losses from 10 matches. They now have 10 points with a Net Run Rate of -0.869.
| Teams | Competitions | succeeded | lost | N/R | points | NRR |
| Peshawar Zalmi (K) | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 2.645 |
| Islamabad United (K) | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0.450 |
| Sultans of Multan (K) | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1.766 |
| Kings of Karachi | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | -0.869 |
| Lahore Colleagues | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | -0.558 |
| Hyderabad Kingsmen | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | -1.037 |
| Quetta Gladiators (E) | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | -0.410 |
| Rawalpindis (E) | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 2 | -1.330 |
However, their eligibility depends on other decisions. Karachi will have to look to clinch a playoff spot with both the Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen losing their respective matches against Peshawar Zalmi and Rawalpindis.
Alternatively, if Lahore loses and Hyderabad wins they can qualify, but only if Hyderabad’s margin of victory is not significant enough to surpass Karachi’s net run rate.
In the match, Quetta batted first, a decision that paid off early as they scored 195 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs.
The innings was anchored by captain South Shakeel and Riley Rossow. Despite losing two wickets in the opening over, the pair rebuilt the innings with a 147-run partnership.
Rossov scored 90 off 54 balls including 8 fours and 6 sixes while Shakeel scored 57 off 34 balls. Dinesh Chandimal added late impetus with an unbeaten 30 as Quetta finished strong.
In reply, Karachi Kings chased down the target of 196 runs easily and lost just one wicket in the 19th over to win by 9 wickets.
The chase was bolstered by a fine partnership between David Warner and Reeza Hendricks, who steadied the innings before launching an aggressive onslaught in the Gladiators’ bowling attack.
Warner was fluent in the knock, bringing up his sixth PSL half-century and leading to the 100-run mark. Hendricks matched it stroke for stroke, finding the boundaries with ease to keep the required ratio well under control.
The duo put together a match-winning century stand to take their side over the line in emphatic fashion.
Warner was unbeaten on 89 off 48 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes while Hendricks scored an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes.