LAHORE: David Warner and Reeza Hendricks explosive knocks carried Karachi Kings over the line against Quetta Gladiators in the important fixture of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
The Kings aced the 196-run target in 18.3 overs, losing only one wicket in the process, largely due to an unbeaten 141* partnership off just 79 balls between Warner and Hendricks.
In pursuit of a big target, Jason Roy and David Warner put on a blazing 58-run partnership in 5.2 overs. Roy was caught for 20 after hitting four boundaries.
The wicket never shifted momentum in the Gladiators’ way as Kings launched an assault on the opposition, bringing the team’s total to 110 at the halfway stage of the innings.
Warner and Hendricks continued on their merry way, reaching their half-centuries. None of the opposition bowlers could pose a threat to both batters. Eventually, Hendricks finished the match in style with a four off Jahandad Khan.
The skipper remained unbeaten on 89* off 48 balls, smashing four sixes and 10 boundaries, while Hendricks hit four sixes and eight fours in his 87 from 48 deliveries.
For Quetta Gladiators, Jahandad Khan remained the solitary wicket-taker.
Earlier, Skipper Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw’s half-centuries helped Quetta Gladiators set a competitive total against Karachi Kings
Batting first, the Gladiators scored 195-6 in 20 overs, thanks to strong contributions from both batters.
Karachi Kings pacer Hasan Ali set the tone early, dismissing Shamyl Hussain and Khawaja Nafay for ducks.
After early setbacks, Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw took charge and pushed the team total past 50. Rilee continued his good run in the tournament, scoring his 14th PSL half-century.
The pair reached a 100-run partnership, with Saud Shakeel also hitting his fifth PSL fifty.
Teenage pacer Rizwanullah rose to the occasion, taking a vital wicket of Shakeel, who scored 57 off 34 balls with nine fours. At this stage, Gladiators were 149-3 after 14.3 overs.
Hasan Nawaz joined Rilee Rossouw, who continued to hit boundaries, helping the team pass 150. Rilee’s innings concluded when Abbas Afridi dismissed him for 90 off 54 balls, with eight fours and six sixes, bringing the team to 157-4 after 15.3 overs.
Karachi Kings were good again at the death overs as Rizwanullah took his second wicket, dismissing Hasan Nawaz for two.
Meanwhile, Abbas Afridi also chipped in his third over, taking another wicket, removing Jahandad Khan for three, and the team fell to 185-6 after 19 overs.
The innings ended with Hasan Ali bowling the last over, with Dinesh Chandimal unbeaten on 30 off 17 balls, featuring three fours and a six, and Alzarri Joseph scoring two runs.
For Karachi Kings, Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Rizwanullah took two wickets each.