Kings Secure Dramatic Win Against Qalandars

News Desk 

Islamabad: In a thrilling encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9, Karachi Kings clinched victory over Lahore Qalandars by two wickets.

Chasing a target of 176 runs set by Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings reached the mark on the final ball with eight wickets down.

The match, held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, saw Karachi Kings winning the toss and electing to field first.

Lahore Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman fell early yet again, managing just 6 runs before being dismissed by Osama Mir.

Sahibzada Farhan and Rasi Vander Dhowson provided some stability, but Dhowson departed after scoring 26 runs with the team’s total at 45.

While Sahibzada Farhan held one end, wickets tumbled at the other.

Contributions from Ahsan Hafeez (8 runs), Jahandad Khan (12 runs), and Shay Hope (21 runs) bolstered the team’s score, with Sahibzada Farhan’s unbeaten knock of 72 runs off 45 balls being the cornerstone. George Linda remained not out on 26 runs.

Mir Hamza, Tabriz Shamsi, and Hasan Ali claimed two wickets each for Karachi Kings.

In their chase, Karachi Kings had a shaky start, losing their first four wickets for 44 runs.

Captain Shan Masood (10 runs), Mohammad Akhlaq (7 runs), James Vance (8 runs), and Mohammad Nawaz (15 runs) couldn’t contribute substantially.

However, a partnership between Shoaib Malik and Kieron Pollard revived their innings.

Pollard’s explosive 58 off 33 balls and Malik’s steady 39 off 32 balls propelled Karachi Kings toward victory.

Both batsmen departed with the score at 143, after which Daniel Simms (7 runs), Hasan Ali (9 runs), and Irfan Khan (13 not out) ensured the team reached the target. Mir Hamza scored the crucial winning run off the last ball.

For Lahore Qalandars, Zaman Khan and Ahsan Hafeez took two wickets each, while Haris Rauf, Jehandad Khan, and Shaheen Afridi claimed one wicket apiece.

Notably, Lahore Qalandars remain winless in PSL 9, having lost all four matches so far.

Under the leadership of Shan Masood, Karachi Kings fielded a squad comprising Mohammad Akhlaq, James Vance, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Irfan Khan Niazi, Daniel Sims, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, and Tabriz Shamsi.

Lahore Qalandars, led by Shaheen Afridi, featured players such as Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Rasi Vander Dawson, Shay Hope, Sikandar Raza, George Linda, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, Jehandad Khan, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan.