Karachi (Web Desk): Lahore Qalandars defeated Karachi Kings by 65 runs in the 6th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
The Qalandars, opting to bat first, posted an imposing 201 for six in their allotted 20 overs, despite Karachi’s Hasan Ali delivering a standout bowling performance. Lahore’s innings began on shaky ground as Hasan struck early, removing openers Mohammad Naeem for seven and Abdullah Shafique for six in quick succession.
With the scoreboard reading 25 for two in the fourth over, Daryl Mitchell joined Fakhar Zaman at the crease, and the pair staged a brilliant recovery. Mixing caution with aggression, they stitched together a vital 125-run stand that swung momentum back in Qalandars’ favour.
Fakhar led the charge with a fluent 76 off 47 deliveries, laced with six fours and five sixes, before Hasan returned to break the partnership. Mitchell continued the onslaught, adding a brief 28-run stand with Sam Billings, who chipped in with a rapid 19 off 10 balls before falling to Hasan as well.
Mitchell was eventually dismissed by Abbas Afridi for a superb 75 off 41, featuring nine boundaries and two maximums. Hasan Ali emerged as the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of four for 28, while Abbas Afridi managed one scalp.
Chasing 202 for victory, the Kings were immediately on the back foot as Shaheen Shah Afridi tore through their top order in the opening over. Both David Warner and James Vince were dismissed for ducks, setting a grim tone for the home side’s chase. Shan Masood and Tim Seifert tried to steady the innings with a brief 39-run stand, but their partnership dissolved quickly, and both fell for 18 in successive overs.
Karachi’s innings unraveled further as they slumped to 45 for four by the eighth over, and then crumbled to 50 for seven within ten overs, unable to counter the relentless pressure from the Qalandars’ bowlers.
Amidst the collapse, Hasan Ali and Khushdil Shah offered a glimpse of resistance. The duo added a gritty 48 runs for the eighth wicket, with Hasan scoring 27 off 25 balls, striking two fours and two sixes before falling to Shaheen. Khushdil stood firm into the penultimate over, top-scoring with a valiant 39 off 27, decorated with four boundaries and a pair of sixes.
However, the damage had been done, and the Kings were bowled out for 136 in 19.1 overs.
Qalandars’ bowling attack was clinical throughout, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rishad Hossain, who picked up three wickets apiece. Sikandar Raza chipped in with two, while Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi grabbed one each.
The comprehensive win not only snapped Lahore’s five-match losing streak against the Kings but also propelled them to second place on the points table, with four points from three games, reaffirming their strength in this season’s campaign.
Teams
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi and Zaman Khan.
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Shan Masood, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Arafat Minhas, Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, Hassan Ali and Fawad Ali.