LAHORE:
Lahore Qalandars secured a commanding six-wicket win over Karachi Kings in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Eliminator 1 on Thursday, successfully chasing a 191-run target with eight balls to spare. The victory propels them into the second playoff, where they will face defending champions Islamabad United for a place in the final.
The Qalandars’ chase was anchored by standout performances from Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman. Chasing 191, they reached the target in 18.4 overs.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem got Lahore off to a strong start with a 43-run opening stand. Naeem was dismissed for 14 off 12 balls by Hasan Ali. Fakhar kept the momentum going with a brisk 47 off 28 deliveries, but young spinner Fawad Ali, making an impact with his very first ball, dismissed Fakhar, leaving Lahore at 75/2.
Shafique then took charge, launching an aggressive assault on Karachi’s bowlers. He smashed 65 runs off 35 balls and formed a vital 83-run partnership with Kusal Perera, who chipped in with 30 off 23 balls. Bhanuka Rajapaksa also contributed with a rapid 23 off 12, helping Lahore seal the win comfortably.
Earlier, Karachi Kings opted to bat and posted a total of 190/8. Skipper David Warner led from the front with a gritty 75 off 52 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Despite Warner’s efforts, Karachi struggled to build lasting partnerships.
While Khushdil Shah (27 off 14) and Tim Seifert (16 off 8) added some quick runs, the rest of the middle order faltered. James Vince managed just four runs, and youngster Saad Baig scored 11.
Warner was dismissed in the 15th over by Naeem, with the Kings at 140/5. They added 50 more runs in the final five overs, aided significantly by 19 extras from Lahore, including 12 wides and four no-balls.
For Lahore, Haris Rauf led the bowling attack with figures of 3/35, claiming key wickets in the death overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up 2/47, while Zaman Khan, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mohammad Naeem each took one wicket. Naeem also impressed with an economical spell of 1/15 in three overs.
Team Line-ups:
Lahore Qalandars:
Shaheen Afridi (C), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf.
Karachi Kings:
David Warner (C), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza.
