PSL 2026: Hasan, Moeen guide Karachi Kings to 14-run win over Quetta Gladiators

Karachi Kings got off to a winning start in the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026), beating Quetta Gladiators by 14 runs on Friday, March 27 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. After being put in to bat first, Karachi posted a good score of 181/7 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of handy contributions from captain David Warner (35 off 22) and Moeen Ali (48* off 29).

Ahmed Daniyal was the pick of the bowlers for Quetta during the first innings, scalping 3/36 in four overs. In reply, they were restricted to 167/7 in their 20 overs, despite a fiery half-century from Shamyl Hussain and fell short of their target. Hasan Ali ran through Quetta’s batting and guided his team to season’s first win.

Earlier, Karachi lost their opener Muhammad Waseem for a three-ball duck in the very first over, but Warner and Salman Agha’s (22 off 10) 41-run stand off 19 balls ensured Karachi got off to a rollicking start in the powerplay.

After Agha’s dismissal, Warner continued to go berserk before falling prey to Abrar Ahmed in the 11th over, leaving his team on 100/4 after 10.3 overs. Karachi further lost Azam Khan and Khushdil Shah cheaply, but Moeen Ali ensured they crossed the 180-run mark with his late heroics.

In reply, Quetta got off to a great start with captain Saud Shakeel (33 off 25) and Shamyl Hussain adding 79 runs for the first wicket off 43 balls. However, after the openers returned to the pavilion, none of the batters showed any application in the middle, and Quetta eventually failed to cross the finishing line.

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Moeen Ali was adjudged Player of the Match for his unbeaten innings of 48* (29). He smacked four fours and three sixes in his innings and guided Karachi to above the 180-run mark with his late fireworks.

Turning Point

Shamyl Hussain's dismissal against Salman Agha in the eighth over of Quetta’s chase was the turning point of the match. Following his wicket, a well-set Saud Shakeel also departed two overs later, and Quetta crumbled under the pressure of the rising required run rate.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, David Warner (Karachi Kings):

I think at the beginning 170 was par, but we lost a few wickets in the middle due to poor shot selections including mine. The spinners bowled really well to get us back into the game, though (based on the Gladiators' start). I wasn't concerned, it was more about how you execute, bowl dots, keep them to singles and the odd boundary. I had Salman and Agha to bowl some off-spin and also had options with the other bowlers. The preparations were good and the boys are looking forward to a paddle game tomorrow.

Losing Captain, Saud Shakeel (Quetta Gladiators):

I think our start was rusty. They played better cricket and we were second best. But it's just the first match and we can improve. I have watched Shamyl since long, he has been so good and his batting is powerful. My wicket was a turning point, we should have taken the game deep.