In a nail-biting encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night, the Karachi Kings edged past the Lahore Qalandars by two wickets in the tenth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9. Chasing a modest target of 176 runs, the Kings displayed remarkable resilience to secure victory on the very last ball of the match.
Lahore Qalandars Bat First, Post 175 Runs
Lahore Qalandars, opting to bat first, got off to a shaky start, losing their star batsman Fakhar Zaman early on. Despite a valiant effort from Sahibzada Farhan (72 runs) and a late cameo from George Linde (26 runs), the Qalandars could only manage a total of 175 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Tabraiz Shamsi, Hasan Ali, and Mir Hamza were the pick of the bowlers for Karachi, claiming two wickets each.
Karachi Kings Face Early Setbacks in Chase
Karachi’s chase began on a similar note, with the team losing four wickets within the powerplay. However, a crucial partnership between Kieron Pollard (50 runs) and Shoaib Malik (39 runs) steadied the ship and brought the Kings back into contention. After Pollard’s dismissal in the 16th over, Haris Rauf dismissed Malik soon after, leaving the Kings needing 11 runs off the final over.
Dramatic Finish as Karachi Clinches Victory on the Last Ball
The drama unfolded in the final over as Hasan Ali smashed a six on the first ball, followed by a crucial catch-out dismissal on the penultimate delivery. With one run needed from the last ball, Mir Hamza held his nerve and secured a dramatic victory for the Karachi Kings, sending their fans into a frenzy.
Key Players Shine in a Tight Contest
Sahibzada Farhan’s unbeaten knock for Lahore Qalandars was the highlight of their innings, while Kieron Pollard’s powerful fifty and Mir Hamza’s last-ball heroics proved decisive for Karachi Kings. The match showcased exceptional bowling performances from Tabraiz Shamsi, Hasan Ali, and Mir Hamza, keeping the contest tightly balanced throughout.
Karachi Kings Climb the PSL Standings
This thrilling victory propels Karachi Kings to the third position in the PSL 9 Points Table, showcasing their potential as strong contenders in the tournament. The match served as a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Qalandars 175-6, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 72 not out, George Linde 26 not out, Rassie van der Dussen 26; Hasan Ali 2-29, Mir Hamza 2-31, Tabraiz Shamsi 2-42)
Karachi Kings 176-8, 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 58, Shoaib Malik 39; Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti 2-19, Zaman Khan 2-25)
Result: Karachi Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by 2 wickets
Player of the match – Kieron Pollard (Karachi Kings)
Tomorrow’s fixtures: Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Multan Cricket Stadium (2 pm); Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore (7 pm).
