Lahore (Web Desk): Lahore Qalandars kept their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 campaign alive with a clinical six-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in Eliminator 1 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday.
The result knocked Karachi Kings out of the tournament, while Qalandars advanced to Eliminator 2, where they will face defending champions Islamabad United at the same venue on Friday.
Chasing a challenging 191-run target, Lahore Qalandars completed the job with ease, reaching 191 for 4 in 18.4 overs. The chase was anchored by a brilliant half-century from Abdullah Shafique, who top-scored with a 35-ball 65, including three fours and five sixes. Shafique formed the backbone of the innings with a crucial 83-run stand for the third wicket alongside Kusal Perera, whose 24-ball 30 proved to be a vital contribution.
Earlier, Qalandars got off to a solid start as Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem added 42 runs for the first wicket. Naeem departed in the fifth over for a 12-ball 14, which featured a four and a six, as Hasan Ali provided Karachi with the breakthrough. Fakhar continued his aggressive approach, smashing 47 off just 28 balls, with five boundaries and three sixes, before falling to Fawad Ali in the ninth over. After his dismissal, Shafique took charge of the innings and steered the Qalandars closer to the target before being dismissed in the 16th over, leaving the side needing just 33 from 28 balls. They comfortably got home with eight deliveries to spare.
For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Fawad Ali and Mir Hamza chipped in with one each.
Earlier in the evening, Karachi Kings opted to bat first in the must-win clash and posted 190 for 8 in their 20 overs. Openers David Warner and Tim Seifert gave them a brisk start, adding 43 runs before Seifert fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi for 16 off just eight balls, which included three boundaries. Warner then held the innings together with a well-compiled 75 off 52 deliveries, decorated with eight fours and three sixes. However, he struggled for consistent partnerships as James Vince (4), Saad Baig (11), and Muhammad Irfan Khan (18) departed cheaply.
Mohammad Naeem struck with the ball to remove Warner at the start of the 16th over, triggering a middle-order collapse. Despite the wickets falling around him, Khushdil Shah provided a late flourish with a quickfire unbeaten 27 from 14 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes to push the total close to 200.
In response, Lahore Qalandars’ bowling attack was led by Haris Rauf, who picked up 3 for 35 in his four overs. Captain Shaheen took two wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem, and Zaman Khan claimed one each.
The Qalandars’ commanding performance sets up an exciting Eliminator 2 clash with Islamabad United, as the fight for a place in the PSL 10 final continues.
Teams
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf.
Karachi King: David Warner (Captain), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza.