Azam Khan Unleashes Fury, Karachi Kings Win in Nail-Biter

Azam Khan's explosive 74 off 34 balls led Karachi Kings to a thrilling five-wicket win over Rawalpindiz in the Pakistan Super League. Khan's aggressive strokeplay, featuring six fours and six sixes, turned the chase around, helping Karachi Kings reach 199/5 in 19.2 overs. David Warner also contributed with a composed 50 off 36 balls, while Hasan Ali took three wickets for 24 runs. Rawalpindiz had posted 197/6, thanks to Daryl Mitchell's 65 and Sam Billings' 58. The two innings followed a similar pattern - both sides had quiet periods in the middle of the powerplay and at the halfway mark of their innings, before their middle orders stepped on the gas. But what differentiated Kings from Rawalpindiz was Azam Khan's 34-ball rampage, in which 60 of his 74 runs were scored off boundaries. This was his first PSL half-century in two editions, and it included as many as three reprieves with Rishad Hossain (twice) and Mohammad Amir putting down chances. Karachi Kings' chase was looking comfortable on a batting-friendly pitch. David Warner's decision to field first paid off, despite a brief rain interruption. Muhammad Waseem and Salman Agha got KK off to a flying start, with Waseem hitting Naseem Shah for big sixes and Agha smashing fours off Amir Khan. Early Highlights:Waseem's Power: Hit Shah for big sixes in the 2nd over Agha's Finish: 3 fours off Amir Khan's over Amir's Mix: Expensive (0/44) but showed class with early pace and movement Warner scored a scratchy 50 off 36 balls, struggling to find rhythm until he holed out to deep midwicket. He faced only nine balls in the powerplay and started to score beyond a-run-a-ball only from the ninth over. He played a few gorgeous drives. The last of these, against Hossain, brought up his half-century in 35 balls. Naseem Shah's injury exit in the 17th over shifted the momentum. Azam Khan stepped up, smashing Cole McConchie for two sixes and a four off the last three balls, taking Karachi Kings close to victory. He scored 31 off 7 balls, killing the contest. Azam's aggressive knock put Kings in command, setting up their thrilling win. Abbas Afridi, who would go on to finish the game with a six for second time in as many matches for Kings, was spanked for four fours - all through the leg side - in the 17th over. Rawalpindiz looked certain to go beyond 200. But Hasan's clever variations and excellent use of the hard length derailed the innings as he bowled Billings and McConchie in the 18th and 20th overs, allowing only seven and six runs, respectively, from them. Mir Hamza removed Mitchell in the penultimate over, which went for ten more. Karachi Kings 199 for 5 (Azam 74, Warner 50, Mitchell 3-32) beat Rawalpindiz 197 for 6 (Mitchell 65, Billings 58, Hasan 3-24, Khushdil 2-37) by five wickets