Karachi Kings rode a responsible yet enterprising knock from James Vince to thrash Quetta Gladiators by 56 runs in match 8 of Pakistan Super League 2025, at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday, April 18. (Highlights | More Cricket News)
Vince's 47-ball 70 guided the hosts to a 175-run total in the first innings. Their bowlers then dismantled the Gladiators' top and middle-order, reducing them to 119 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Hasan Ali claimed three wickets, while Mohammad Nabi and Abbas Afridi bagged two apiece.
The Kings (four points from three games) jumped to third in the standings with the convincing win, displacing the Gladiators (two points from three games), who are now fourth.
Toss Update
Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bat first against Quetta Gladiators.
Playing XIs
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Khawaja Nafay, Faheem Ashraf, Sean Abbott, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Majid
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Muhammad Riazullah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza
Upon winning the toss, Karachi skipper David Warner said: "With this surface being used a couple of times, it might hold a little bit on the surface. It looks a little bit dry. We saw last game when it was this windy, there wasn't much dew. So that's why we've opted to bat.
"I think for us, it's that middle phase with the ball and then with the bat. It's trying to get off to a good start in the first six in the power play, and then setting that up for the back end. We saw in the first game. Two batters in can win you the game. So that's what we're trying to focus on, tonight's partnerships, both with the bat and the ball.
"Anywhere over the 180s will be a very good total. This wicket might take a little bit of spin. You got some bare patches at one end, and if the dew stays away, that's probably going to be the par score, 180."
The Kings and the Gladiators both started their respective PSL 2025 campaigns with victories but were then handed demoralising defeats by Lahore Qalandars in their next outings.
