PSL 2026: Azam Khan special powers Karachi Kings to five-wicket win over Rawalpindiz

Karachi Kings continued their dominant run in the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026), with a five-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in Match 10 on Thursday, April 2 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. After being put in to bat first, Rawalpindiz posted a massive score of 197/6 in their allotted 20 overs as Daryl Mitchell and Sam Billings scored brilliant half-centuries.

In reply, Karachi chased down the target in 19.2 overs with captain David Warner leading from the front, while Azam Khan also played a breathtaking innings to take his team to the top of the points table.

Earlier, Rawalpindiz lost their openers Mohammad Rizwan (21 off 13) and Yasir Khan (8 off 8) inside the powerplay. Even Kamran Ghulam (10 off 11) departed cheaply, leaving his team on 55/3 in 6.1 overs. After three early wickets, Daryl Mitchell (65 off 41) and Sam Billings (58 off 35) got together at the crease and bailed their team out of trouble with a massive 120-run stand off 70 balls.

Following their dismissals, Abdullah Fazal (18* off 7) gave the perfect finish to the innings to help his team cross the 190-run mark.

In the second innings, Karachi lost Muhammad Waseem (23 off 11) inside the powerplay, who lost his stumps against Naseem Shah. But David Warner (50 off 36) continued the onslaught, as Salman Agha (29 off 24) held the other end. Azam Khan walked to the crease in the ninth over and got involved in a massive 76-run stand off 41 balls with Warner.

Khan went on to play a magnificent innings of 74 (34) and brought his team to the verge of victory. In the end, Abbas Afridi once again finished things in style, with a maximum to help Karachi achieve their third successive victory of the tournament. After scoring a half-century, Daryl Mitchell (3/32 in 3.2 overs) also scalped three wickets.

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Azam Khan was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his stellar innings, which helped his team comfortably chase down the massive score. He hit six fours and as many sixes to ensure the required run rate never got out of control.

Turning Point

Rawalpindiz had a tough day in the field as they dropped Azam Khan thrice during his innings. The youngster was first dropped on 35, then 37 and later in the 18^th over. The missed chances had a significant bearing on the game as Karachi made it three wins out of three.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, David Warner (Karachi Kings):

(Winning three out of three) Yeah, look, it's a great place to be. I think tonight was a fantastic result for us, but the way that the boys played, I thought, was fantastic. Up with the 200, it was probably going to be, I think, par total on that wicket, but the way that our bowlers sort of bowled through the middle, I thought was fantastic. They had a good partnership and a solid foundation, and it's always hard to bring that back. But what a fantastic innings there by Azam. (On the bowling options) Yeah, look, it's handy. I've captained a lot of franchises around the world, and it's just great to have sort of that artillery there at your disposal. So, look, the guys have been bowling very, very well. I think the good thing about this is we've got some great experience in this team, which I'm using their knowledge, and our bowling changes are a group decision, not just my decision. So, we're gelling really well together. (On Azam Khan's knock) Yeah, look, that was fantastic. You know, he just needed a little bit of intent to come out and play his way, and we know what he's capable of. I know he's definitely capable of what he's capable of, but to see him come off tonight and bat in the middle, look like he did. It's going to hold him in good stead for the rest of the tournament.

Losing Captain, Mohammad Rizwan (Rawalpindiz):

Bowling was good today, compared to the first game. But if you keep dropping catches, makes it hard. Our batting lineup is strong. Have good overseas players and Yasir at the top who keeps blasting. But the execution with the ball - will have to wait on the status of Naseem (talking about his injury).