KCL Indoor Week 4

The halfway stage of the 2025 indoor season featured the Royals, Defenders, Strikers and Warriors all engage in battle to further their push towards top 4 qualification. The results of today’s fixtures would provide a better picture of where the teams stand midway, and what needs to be done for all teams going forward.

Match 1: Victorious Royals v Defenders of Peace

The outdoor champions DOP got the ball rolling breezing past the Royals without breaking much sweat, as the Royals posted a par total of 93-3 in their 8 overs batting first. Besides the contributions of Talha and Babar, the remaining batters couldn’t do enough to post a challenging total, as the Defenders swept their way through to the total without the loss of a wicket and their top 3 all reaching unbeaten scores. In particular captain Haseeb (30*) hit four sixes in his 7 deliveries with a strike rate of 428!

Match 2: Truthful Warriors v Mighty Strikers

The Warriors have shown recently that they can be a devastating opposition if they get on a roll and unleash a rampage. Such was the case again as the team in blue set in and posted a daunting total of 148 having lost only 2 wickets. All batsmen struck at a very good strike rate with 3 batters reaching unbeaten scores (Bilal, Daniyal and Hammad). In response, the Strikers just didn’t get going with no batter setting the tone for them and ending up with a severe thrashing of an 81 run loss! A paltry 67 all out courtesy of an outstanding bowling spell by Zeeshan Naseer picking up 4 wickets for 8 runs!

Match 3: Victorious Royals v Mighty Strikers

The two sides having lost their earlier games and knowing what’s at stake in the league table now locked horns and produced one of the best fought contests so far in this year’s edition. The Royals had to get this right and were given a huge boost through an excellent opening stand between Talha and Rehman who both raced to their 25 run retirements. A small hiccup in between the middle allowed the Strikers to claw their way back in, but the returning Rehman (41*) and with some excellent late order striking by Rizwan Butt (26 off 9 balls) saw the Royals post a strong total of 136 in their 8 overs. Needing something special, the Strikers also responded brilliantly with the top 3 (Muzamil, Faheem and Rehan) all contributing with not out scores of 25*. Having set the base, the remaining Striker’s batters couldn’t capitalise on the start provided and their efforts eventually meant that they fell 12 runs short of the target, even though this was a fantastic effort none the less.

Match 4: Truthful Warriors v Defenders of Peace

The earlier victors now faced each other in an important fixture with a lot resting upon it. The Warriors couldn’t replicate their dominance with the bat this time as the Defenders were not allowing them to get away so easily. Still, a total of 106 in their 8 overs would have encouraged their bowlers to replicate their earlier form against the Strikers. Putting the foot on the pedal from the get go, the Defenders once again made light work of the total having lost 3 wickets this time, yet reaching the target in 6.1 overs courtesy of some good batting by Hafiz Zafarullah (29*), whilst Haseeb, Sikander and Waleed all struck close to 300 with reasonable contributions.

At the midway stage of the tournament, all teams have played 4 fixtures each. The Challengers, Defenders and Conquers are sitting healthy on top with 3 wins each out of their 4. The Warriors currently sit at 4th position due to their NRR putting them above the Royals and Strikers who also have lost 2 matches just like they have. An uphill task awaits the Stars and Knights who really cannot afford another loss in their remaining 3 fixtures in order to remain in the competition. Exciting times ahead as the league enters its final phases!