Karachi Kings skipper David Warner was full of praise for his team after they pulled off a thrilling four-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in a rain-shortened 15-over clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night in the HBL PSL 10.
Lahore Qalandars posted a formidable 160/8, powered by fiery half-centuries from openers Mohammad Naeem (65 off 29) and Fakhar Zaman (51 off 33). However, the Kings, chasing a revised target of 168, held their nerve to secure victory with three balls to spare—thanks largely to Irfan Khan Niazi’s explosive unbeaten knock of 48 off just 21 deliveries.
Warner, speaking after the match, credited his bowlers for setting the stage.
“It was an amazing victory, but first I want to talk about the bowlers—they did an amazing effort to restrict them to 160,” he said. “And then obviously it was a brilliant effort by [Irfan Khan] Niazi. We stuck with him and spoke to him about having that hunger and desire, and today, the way he played was the cream on the top.”
David Warner also addressed the tactical difference in team composition, as Lahore opted for a spin-heavy attack while Karachi went in with four pacers.
“No, I stuck with it [the pace attack]. I think Shaheen [Afridi] said it was going to turn but not one ball has turned here in three games,” Warner said candidly.
“So I was baffled by those comments, but for us, you just gotta back yourself and that’s the way our team is positioned at the moment. Our bowlers have been fantastic—they’ve been taking wickets—and there is probably not that room for an extra spinner at the moment.”
With just two matches remaining in the group stage, Warner highlighted the importance of momentum as the playoffs loom.
“Well, back-to-back wins is a great thing. We have pulled off a miracle here today,” he said. “So look, the momentum going into Rawalpindi will be great, and hopefully we can win back-to-back there and have that opportunity to try and cement that top-of-the-table position.”
Karachi Kings will now head to Rawalpindi for their final two group matches—against Peshawar Zalmi on May 8 and Islamabad United on May 10—as they aim to lock in a top-two finish in the HBL PSL 10 standings.
READ: ‘It Was All About Belief’: Irfan Khan Reflects On His Blazing Knock
