KARACHI: A sensational century from James Vince and a quick-fire half-century by Khushdil Shah lifted the Karachi Kings to a thrilling four-wicket win over the Multan Sultans in Match 3 of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the National Bank Stadium.
Chasing a daunting target of 235, the Kings delivered a statement performance in front of their home crowd, sealing the win with four balls to spare.
The chase was anchored by James Vince, who blasted a 42-ball century and ended with 101 off 43 balls, laced with 14 fours and four sixes. He was brilliantly supported by Khushdil Shah, who smashed 60 runs off 37 balls, including five fours and four sixes, in a momentum-shifting 142-run stand off just 68 balls for the fifth wicket.
Karachi Kings’ pursuit of the target began with a fiery start from Tim Seifert, who scored a quick 32 off 16 balls, striking two fours and three sixes.
However, Multan Sultans struck back swiftly, removing David Warner (12) and Seifert in quick succession. The pressure mounted further with the wickets of Shan Masood (0) and Arafat Minhas (10), reducing the Kings to 79-4 in 6.5 overs.
Just when the match seemed to tilt in Multan’s favour, Vince and Khushdil took charge. The Englishman’s blistering knock was a display of classical timing mixed with aggressive stroke play, while Khushdil provided the perfect balance with his calculated aggression.
The game was sealed in emphatic fashion, as Abbas Afridi hammered a six straight down the ground on the second ball of the final over, completing a memorable chase for the Kings.
Earlier in the evening, Multan Sultans, after being asked to bat first, posted a formidable 234/3 in their 20 overs, led by a sublime unbeaten 105 off 63 balls from captain Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan’s innings featured nine fours and five sixes, anchoring his team’s innings with grace and power.
Rizwan was involved in several crucial stands – 55 runs with Shai Hope (8), 27 with Usman Khan (19 off 15), 63 with Kamran Ghulam (36 off 19), and an explosive unbroken 89-run partnership off just 32 balls with Michael Bracewell, who chipped in with 44 off 17 balls* (5 fours, 3 sixes).
For the Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali, Abbas Afridi, and Khushdil Shah claimed one wicket apiece in a high-scoring affair that tested both bowling units.
READ: PSL 10: Arafat Minhas hails team spirit after Karachi Kings’ thrilling win