Karachi Kings have received a major boost ahead of their third game in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, as South African cricketer Reeza Hendricks has joined the squad.
The addition of the right-handed explosive batter will strengthen the batting lineup of the David Warner-led Karachi Kings in the marquee event ahead of crucial matches.
Karachi Kings added South African batter to their PSL 2026 squad as a late replacement for West Indies opener Johnson Charles, missing the season due to personal reason.
This will be the second PSL stint for Hendricks, having scored 304 runs in eight innings for Multan Sultans in 2024, averaging 43.42 with a strike rate of 134.51.
An experienced top-order batter, Hendricks has played 296 T20 matches, recording 64 fifties and five centuries, making him a proven performer in the shortest format worldwide.
The former champions are currently at the top of the points table with four points after winning their games against Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars.
14 runs Win Over Gladiators
In their opening game against Quetta, Karachi Kings posted 181 for 7, led by Moeen Ali’s unbeaten 48 and David Warner’s 35, to defeat Gladiators by 14 runs in Lahore.
Moeen Ali’s all-round brilliance, including a tight four-over spell, anchored Kings’ innings, while Hasan Ali’s 4 for 27 ended Gladiators’ hopes of successfully chasing 182.
Quetta Gladiators had a flying start, with Shamyl Hussain scoring a 21-ball half-century, but lack of support from the lower order ultimately caused their innings to collapse.
Karachi Kings were put in to bat after Saud Shakeel won the toss, and early wickets failed to prevent captain Warner and Salman Agha from building crucial partnerships.
At the death, big hitting from Moeen Ali and controlled bowling from Hasan Ali secured victory for Karachi Kings, showcasing balanced batting and bowling in their PSL 2026 opener.
Four Wicket Win Over Qalandars
In their second game, Kings edged Lahore Qalandars by four wickets with three balls remaining, chasing 129 in a tense, low-scoring PSL 11 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Adam Zampa led a disciplined bowling performance, supported by Moeen Ali and Mir Hamza, restricting Lahore to 128-9 on a tricky, two-paced pitch challenging both sides’ batting.
Karachi endured early losses to Shaheen Shah Afridi but Muhammad Waseem and Moeen Ali steadied the chase, forging crucial partnerships to keep the target achievable under pressure.
The finish came dramatically as a five-run penalty reduced the target, Khushdil fell early, and Abbas Afridi struck a boundary and six to seal Karachi’s thrilling victory.
