Karachi: Karachi Kings head coach Ravi Bopara praised his side’s team balance and composure under pressure after their thrilling win against Peshawar Zalmi.
Karachi Kings successfully chased down 148 runs, losing eight wickets with three balls to spare on a challenging batting surface in the 11th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.
The home team got off to a poor start in their chase, as Tim Seifert was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. The in-form batter James Vince followed soon after, departing for 11, leaving Karachi in early trouble at 19-2 in 2.5 overs.
After a shaky start, Saad Baig partnered with skipper David Warner, and together they took the team’s score to 42 before Baig was bowled by Ali Raza, having scored 9 off 8 balls.
Subsequently, Irfan Khan contributed 10 runs, while Mohammad Nabi added 14, while David Warner remained firm at the other end. Warner’s innings came to an end in the 17th over after scoring 60 off 47 balls.
However, it was Khushdil Shah who anchored the final stages with a calm unbeaten 23, guiding the team home in the last over.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Luke Wood took three wickets, while Ali Raza claimed two wickets.
While speaking in the post-match press conference, Ravi Bopara praised the fans’ enthusiasm and acknowledged the tough playing conditions.
“Fans witnessed a thrilling contest on a challenging wicket — and I am sure they [Fans] enjoyed every bit of it, ” he remarked.
The head coach also emphasized the importance of team selection and adaptability under pressure, noting the depth of the Karachi Kings’ batting line-up.
“Playing under pressure is how players grow. We know it’s not the most solid, but our long batting line-up helps cover it up. It’s not always about picking the most experienced guy for the middle order,” he explained.
READ: Karachi Kings thump Peshawar Zalmi in last-over HBL PSL 10 thriller
