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David Warner Shaheen Afridi PSL 2025: Karachi Kings Captain Takes Cheeky Swipe at Rival
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Karachi Kings defeated Lahore Qalandars by 10 runs in a rain-affected match (Photo: Karachi Kings | X)
Match Overview: Kings vs Qalandars
In a thrilling Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 encounter, Karachi Kings, led by David Warner, secured a crucial 10-run victory over Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium. The rain-affected match was reduced to 15 overs, with Kings successfully chasing down a revised target of 167 in 14.3 overs, after Qalandars posted 160-8 in their innings.
Match Highlights
- Rain reduced match to 15 overs per side
- Lahore Qalandars scored 160-8
- DLS revised target: 167 runs
- Karachi Kings won with 3 balls to spare
Irfan Khan’s Match-Winning Performance
Muhammad Irfan Khan emerged as the hero for Karachi Kings with a blistering 48 not out off just 21 balls. His innings, studded with two fours and five sixes, proved decisive in the chase. The young batsman’s assault on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s over, which yielded 21 runs including three massive sixes, turned the tide in Kings’ favor.
Key Partnership: Irfan Khan and Mohammad Nabi’s 45-run partnership off just 17 balls proved crucial in the victory.
Warner’s Post-Match Comments
David Warner, the Karachi Kings captain, couldn’t resist taking a cheeky swipe at Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Afridi during the post-match presentation. Warner humorously called out Afridi’s pre-match assessment of the pitch conditions, stating, “Shaheen said it was going to turn, but not one ball has turned here in three games. I was baffled by those comments.”
Warner’s Strategy: “I stuck with it [pace attack]. You’ve just got to back yourself. Our bowlers have been fantastic, they’ve been taking wickets, and right now there’s probably no room for an extra spinner.”
Playoff Race Implications
The victory has significant implications for the PSL 2025 playoff race. Karachi Kings have now moved to third position on the points table with 10 points, level with Islamabad United. The win marks their fifth success in the tournament, while Quetta Gladiators have become the first team to secure a playoff spot with 11 points from eight games.
Tournament Standing: Karachi Kings’ fifth win puts them in a strong position for playoff qualification, with momentum on their side following this crucial victory.
Warner’s leadership and tactical decisions, combined with Irfan Khan’s explosive batting, have put Karachi Kings in a strong position as the PSL 2025 enters its crucial phase. The victory not only strengthens their playoff chances but also adds another chapter to the intense rivalry between these two prestigious franchises.
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