Karachi Kings secured a narrow four-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring contest, chasing down 129 in dramatic fashion. Abbas Afridi sealed the victory with a four and a six off Haris Rauf in the final over.
The chase took a turn at the start of the last over when the target was reduced from 14 off six to nine off six after the umpires penalised Qalandars for altering the condition of the ball, allowing Karachi to choose a replacement.
Afridi’s Spell Keeps Kings Under Pressure
Chasing 129 proved challenging on a two-paced surface offering uneven bounce. Shaheen Afridi delivered a standout performance with figures of 4 for 18, using variations effectively.
He struck early, dismissing David Warner and Salman Agha within three deliveries in the third over. Alongside tight spells in the powerplay, Qalandars reduced Kings to 18 for 2 after five overs.
Saad Baig provided some momentum with two boundaries off Rauf in the final powerplay over, but Karachi struggled to accelerate, managing just 19 runs across the next four overs after his dismissal.
Waseem, Moeen Steady the Chase
Muhammad Waseem played a key role in shifting momentum. In the 13th over, he attacked Rauf, hitting a four and a six to register the most expensive over of the match.
Moeen Ali supported him as the pair added 43 runs, bringing the required rate down. However, Shaheen Afridi returned to remove both Waseem and Moeen in the 15th over, tightening the contest once again.
Late Partnership Sets Up Final Over
Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan then steadied the innings with a crucial 32-run partnership, taking Karachi into the final over with the chase still in balance.
Abbas Afridi finished the job, striking consecutive boundaries to secure the win.
Qalandars Falter After Solid Start
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted 128 for 9 after being put under pressure late in the innings. Despite losing Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem early, they reached 42 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, with Abdullah Shafique scoring 33 from 24 balls.
Shafique and Parvez Hossain Emon attempted to rebuild, but both fell in quick succession. A 43-run partnership between Sikandar Raza and Haseebullah Khan helped stabilise the innings.
Haseebullah’s attacking approach included a four and a six off Abbas Afridi in the 12th over. However, wickets of Raza and Shaheen Afridi triggered a collapse, with Qalandars losing their final five wickets for just 20 runs.
Brief Scores
- Karachi Kings 131 for 6 (Muhammad Waseem 38; Shaheen Afridi 4-18)
- Lahore Qalandars 128 for 9 (Abdullah Shafique 33; Adam Zampa 2-11, Hamza 2-14, Moeen Ali 2-31)
- Karachi Kings won by four wickets
