By our correspondent
LAHORE: Karachi Kings clinched a dramatic 4-wicket victory over arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in the 24th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10, held at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium. A rain-interrupted contest, reduced to 15 overs per side, turned into a high-scoring spectacle where Karachi successfully chased down a revised DLS target of 168 with three balls to spare.
Winning the toss, Karachi opted to field first. Lahore Qalandars began strongly, with Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem stitching together a fiery 90-run stand in just 7.5 overs. Fakhar smashed 51 off 33 balls, including four boundaries and three towering sixes, while Naeem added a brisk 39. However, after their dismissals and a rain delay, the batting line-up faltered. Only Abdullah Shafiq (18) managed to reach double figures as Lahore posted 160/8. Abbas Afridi was the standout bowler for Karachi, bagging 4 wickets and taking his tournament tally to 15. Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal, and Hassan Ali each chipped in with a wicket.
The rain revised Karachi Kings’ target to 168 in 15 overs. The chase wobbled at times, but Irfan Khan emerged as the hero with a blistering 48 not out off just 21 deliveries, guiding his side home in the penultimate over. He received valuable support from Saad Baig (25), while David Warner and Tim Seifert contributed 24 runs apiece. Mohammad Nabi and Wess also added important cameos. Lahore’s Haris Rauf and Daryl Mitchell each took 2 wickets, but could not stop Karachi’s momentum.
Shaheen Shah Afridi captained Lahore Qalandars, while David Warner led Karachi Kings. In team changes, Lahore brought in spinner Rashid Hussain for Tom Curran, while Karachi replaced Fawad Ali and Umair Bin Yousuf with Hassan Ali and Saad Baig.
The win keeps the playoff hopes alive for Karachi Kings, who now stand fourth on the points table with 8 points. Lahore Qalandars remain in third with 9 points. Quetta Gladiators lead with 11, followed by Islamabad United with 10. Peshawar Zalmi are in fifth with 6 points, while Multan Sultans sit at the bottom with just one win from eight games and have been eliminated from the tournament. The high-octane clash not only reignited Karachi’s campaign but also underscored the PSL’s enduring reputation for thrillers that keep fans on the edge of their seats.
