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Karachi — Lahore Qalandars delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday to defeat the David Warner-led Karachi Kings by 65 runs in the sixth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10, held at National Bank Stadium, Karachi.
The resounding win not only ended Qalandars’ five-match losing streak against the Kings but also cemented their second place on the PSL 10 points table with four points in three matches.
Early Carnage from Shaheen Leaves Kings Reeling
Chasing a mammoth 202-run target, the Kings’ batting unit crumbled under pressure, folding for a modest 136 runs in 19.1 overs, despite a fighting knock from Khushdil Shah.
The collapse began right from the first over, where Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi stunned the home side by removing both openers—David Warner and James Vince—for ducks, leaving the Kings at 0/2. It was a nightmare start for the Kings, with their top-order blown away before they could settle in.
Middle-Order Falters After Early Setback
Following the early setback, Shan Masood and Tim Seifert attempted to stabilize the innings, but their partnership could only add 39 runs before both fell in quick succession. Masood and Seifert managed 18 runs each, but their dismissals in the 7th and 8th overs sparked a dramatic collapse.
By the end of the 10th over, Karachi had plummeted to 50/7, as Lahore’s bowlers continued to dismantle the middle and lower order with ruthless precision.
Resistance from Khushdil and Hasan Ali
Despite the top and middle-order failures, Hasan Ali and Khushdil Shah put up a brief fight with a spirited 48-run stand for the eighth wicket, showing some hope for the hosts. Hasan struck 27 off 25 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before becoming Afridi’s third victim.
Khushdil, however, stood his ground until the 19th over, top-scoring for Karachi with a gutsy 39 off 27 balls, laced with four fours and two sixes. But his valiant effort wasn’t enough to avoid defeat, as Karachi Kings were bowled out with five balls to spare.
Lahore Bowlers Seal the Game
Lahore’s bowling attack was led by skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rishad Hossain, both bagging three wickets each. Sikandar Raza chipped in with two, while Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi claimed a wicket apiece. The comprehensive bowling performance ensured Lahore’s dominance throughout the game.
Mitchell, Fakhar Anchor Lahore’s Explosive Innings
Earlier in the day, Lahore Qalandars set a challenging total of 201/6 after opting to bat first. Though they suffered an early wobble, losing Mohammad Naeem (7) and Abdullah Shafique (6) cheaply—both dismissed by an inspired Hasan Ali—they bounced back in style.
Islamabad United Crush Zalmi with 102-Run Win in PSL 10 Thriller
The turning point came with a superb 125-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Fakhar Zaman, which put Qalandars firmly in control. The duo batted with discipline and aggression, exploiting the gaps and punishing loose deliveries.
Fakhar and Mitchell Shine with the Bat
Fakhar Zaman, the explosive left-handed opener, smashed 76 runs off 47 balls, featuring six fours and five sixes, before falling to Hasan Ali. His attacking flair was matched by New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who hammered 75 runs off just 41 balls, with nine boundaries and two sixes.
After Fakhar’s dismissal, Mitchell added 28 more runs with Sam Billings, who scored a brisk 19 off 10, before also being removed by Hasan, who ended with a superb 4/28 in four overs.
Mitchell eventually fell to Abbas Afridi, who was the only other wicket-taker for Karachi Kings.
Qalandars Climb Up the Table
The emphatic win ended a five-match losing streak for Qalandars against the Kings and gave them a significant morale boost early in the tournament. With two wins out of three matches, they now sit second on the points table, closely trailing the leaders.
For Karachi Kings, the loss adds pressure, especially with their top-order struggling to find form. Captain David Warner, yet to make a mark in PSL 10, will look to regroup his side as the tournament progresses.
Playing XIs
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi, Zaman Khan.
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Shan Masood, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Arafat Minhas, Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, Hasan Ali, Fawad Ali.
