Babar Azam's belligerent knock sinks Multan Sultans in key clash.

KARACHI -- Babar Azam starred with a sublime unbeaten 90 as holders Karachi Kings catapulted to a rousing seven-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in their HBL Pakistan Super League 6 fixture at the National Stadium here on Saturday.

As per the norm in this tournament so far, total of 195-6 in 20 overs seemed inadequate to defend as Multan Sultans found out once their fate was decided by the toss - which again became decisive for the ninth straight encounter as the side luck on that count emerging winners - with Babar reaching a notable milestone by registering his highest score in the HBL PSL as Karachi Kings scythed through to their 196-run chase in 18.5 overs.

And although the all-format Pakistan captain missed out on a fifth T20 hundred but incisively his innings was the cornerstone of Karachi Kings' second win in three games, which lifted to the top of the standings for the time being (before Islamabad United, who have won both their matches, were playing Peshawar Zalmi later on Saturday).

Man-of-the-match Babar - who had struggled to find consistency he is renowned for following the thumb injury that kept him out of the entire New Zealand series - played to the gallery since the Karachi fans, who had turned up in big numbers, had been extremely vocal in their support for the champions and kept chanting 'Karachi, Karachi, Karachi' throughout the chase.

While Babar surely had the crowd on their feet, the fans left no one in doubt who they wanted to succeed more. However, Mohammad Amir still had fruitless outing despite being egged on with vociferous chants of 'Amir, Amir, Amir, Amir' every time he charged into bowl.

But Babar was not going to miss out and eased to a 16th HBL PSL half century from just 32 balls with the aid of nine boundaries. Already the most prolific batsman in this league, the elegant run-machine crunched four more fours and a six in the 60-ball innings that fetched him the man-of-the-match award.

Joe Clarke also played a major role as the wicket-keeper/batsman raced to a 26-ball 54 during the terrific partnership of 97 in only 57 balls with Babar after Sharjeel Khan (27 off 14 balls, four fours and one six) had gone in the fifth over, edging Shahnawaz Dhani to the wicket-keeper.

Clarke - predicted by experts for a bright future in England colours - bludgeoned four sixes and three fours to firmly shut the doors on Multan Sultans. However, Multan Sultans had themselves to blame after being on course of a far bigger...