By our correspondent
LAHORE: There was an air of finality in Lahore on Thursday night as Karachi Kings turned in one of their most complete performances of the season, hammering Multan Sultans by 87 runs in a clinical show of power and precision that leaves their playoff hopes very much alive.
With the cool spring air sweeping through the Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s decision to bat first proved masterful. They did not just put runs on the board—they imposed themselves. James Vince anchored the innings with a measured, unbeaten 65, but it was the pyrotechnics around him that lit up the night. Skipper David Warner, always keen to dominate early, lashed 30 off just 13 balls, and Khushdil Shah finished with a blaze of boundaries, smashing 33 not out off 13 deliveries. Even Tim Seifert got in on the act with a quickfire 22, as Karachi piled up a daunting 204 for 4.
For Multan, the chase never got going. Their innings began with a thud, as captain Mohammad Rizwan, the steady hand they so often rely on, was sent back without scoring. From there, it unravelled quickly. The top order wilted under pressure, and the middle order followed suit. Yasir Khan scratched together 26, Kamran Ghulam laboured to 29, and Chris Jordan finished unbeaten on 14, but there was no real fight, no moment where a comeback felt remotely possible.
Mohammad Nabi was the chief destroyer with the ball, returning superb figures of 3 for 14. His was the kind of spell that breaks backs and closes doors. Khushdil Shah, fresh from his batting blitz, chipped in with two wickets, as did Mir Hamza, who maintained his reputation for reliability in the middle overs.
It all ended in just 16.1 overs, Multan dismissed for 117, a total that seemed almost symbolic of their struggle. For Karachi, it was more than just a win. It was a statement. It was the kind of performance that does more than earn two points—it breathes belief into a campaign that had begun to wobble. The net run rate got a welcome boost, but perhaps more importantly, the squad rediscovered the kind of ruthless efficiency that could carry them deep into the tournament.
As the floodlights dimmed and the crowd filtered out into the Lahore night, there was no mistaking which side looked ready for the battles ahead. Karachi Kings had roared back into contention, and the message to the rest of the league was clear: underestimate them at your peril.
