Azam Khan Powers Karachi Kings to 3rd Win In a Row
Karachi Kings edged a thrilling five-wicket win over Rawalpindiz in the PSL match 10 with Azam Khan producing a match-defining knock in a high-scoring contest at Gaddafi Stadium. Azam Khan’s innings proved decisive as Kings chased down 198 with four balls to spare to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Kings continued their perfect start with three wins in three matches and returned to the top of the points table.
Azam Khan’s explosive knock seals chase
Chasing 198, Karachi Kings looked set for a tense finish before Azam Khan took control of the contest. His 74 off just 34 balls included a remarkable boundary-heavy assault, with 60 of his runs coming through fours and sixes.
Azam was given multiple lifelines during his innings, with Rishad Hossain dropping him twice and Mohammad Amir also missing a chance.
With 43 required off 22 balls, the game hung in the balance. However, Azam dismantled Cole McConchie in the 17th over, striking two sixes and a boundary in the final three deliveries to swing momentum decisively.
He added 31 runs off just seven balls during his late burst before being dismissed in the penultimate over, by which time the result was effectively sealed.
Warner anchors despite slow start
Captain David Warner contributed 50 off 36 balls but struggled to find rhythm early. He faced only nine balls in the powerplay and accelerated later, reaching his half-century in 35 balls.
Warner played several fluent drives before eventually being dismissed at deep midwicket.
Rawalpindiz build strong total
Rawalpindiz posted 197 for 6, powered by a crucial 120-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Sam Billings.
Mitchell scored 65, while Billings added 58, stabilising the innings after early setbacks.
Muhammad Waseem and Salman Agha provided early momentum, with Waseem striking big sixes off Naseem Shah and Agha finishing the powerplay strongly with boundaries off Amir Khan.
Hasan Ali shines at the death
Hasan Ali delivered an excellent spell at the death, finishing with 3 for 24. His variations and disciplined lengths helped restrict Rawalpindiz in the closing overs.
He dismissed Billings and McConchie in the 18th and 20th overs, conceding just seven and six runs respectively, preventing Rawalpindiz from crossing the 200 mark.
Mir Hamza also contributed by removing Mitchell in the penultimate over.
Middle-overs pattern shapes game
Both innings followed a similar pattern, with relatively quiet periods in the middle overs before explosive finishes from the middle order.
For Karachi, Azam Khan’s acceleration proved the difference, while Rawalpindiz were unable to fully capitalise despite a strong platform.
What this means
Karachi Kings’ third consecutive win reinforces their strong start to PSL 2026 and highlights their batting depth in pressure situations.
For Rawalpindiz, the defeat leaves them second from bottom with two losses, underlining the need to convert strong positions into winning totals.
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