Dominant Lahore Qalandars crush Karachi Kings with a 65-run victory
KARACHI: Solid half-centuries from Fakhar Zaman and Daryl Mitchell, backed by a disciplined bowling display, powered Lahore Qalandars to a commanding 65-run win over Karachi Kings in a high-voltage Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 encounter at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a hefty 202-run target, Karachi’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure and could only manage 136 in 19.1 overs, despite a valiant effort from Khushdil Shah.
The hosts had a disastrous beginning as Lahore’s skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi made an immediate impact, removing both David Warner and James Vince for ducks in the very first over.
In an attempt to rebuild, Shan Masood and Tim Seifert came together at the crease, each scoring 18. However, their third-wicket stand could only yield 39 runs before both batters were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the Kings reeling at 45/4 in 7.1 overs.
The collapse continued as Karachi lost three more wickets rapidly, slumping to 50/7 by the end of the 10th over.
Hasan Ali and Khushdil Shah then tried to steady the innings, stitching together a fighting 48-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Hasan contributed 27 off 25 balls, striking two boundaries and as many sixes before Afridi dismissed him.
Khushdil remained at the crease until the 19th over, top-scoring with a gritty 39 from 27 balls, which included four fours and two maximums.
For the Qalandars, Afridi and Rishad Hossain bagged three wickets each. Sikandar Raza picked up two, while Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi took one apiece.
The emphatic win not only ended Lahore’s five-game losing streak against Karachi but also propelled them to second place in the PSL 10 points table with four points from three matches.
Earlier, after electing to bat, the Qalandars posted a competitive 201/6 in their 20 overs despite a fiery spell from Hasan Ali.
Lahore had a shaky start, losing Mohammad Naeem (7) and Abdullah Shafique (6) in quick succession to Hasan, finding themselves at 25/2 by the fourth over.
Mitchell then joined Fakhar to stabilize the innings. The pair counterattacked effectively, adding a vital 125-run partnership before Fakhar was dismissed by Hasan. The left-hander struck 76 off 47 deliveries, including six boundaries and five sixes.
Mitchell continued the onslaught briefly with Sam Billings (19 off 10) before both fell in back-to-back overs. The Kiwi batter scored a fluent 75 from 41 balls, laced with nine fours and two sixes.
Hasan was the standout performer for Karachi with figures of 4/28 in four overs, while Abbas Afridi picked up one wicket.
