Lahore Qalandars crush Karachi Kings to stay alive in PSL X

A commanding all-round display by Lahore Qalandars dismantled Karachi Kings in the first Eliminator of the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL X), knocking them out with a six-wicket triumph at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Karachi Kings posted a challenging total of 190 for 8, powered by a sublime 75 off 52 balls by Karachi captain David Warner. In response, Lahore Qalandars chased the target down clinically, anchored by Lahore batter Abdullah Shafique’s composed 65 and supported by Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 47.

The Kings, having opted to bat, were bolstered by an aggressive 43-run stand between Warner and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert. Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Seifert for 16 off 8 to break the early momentum. Warner, however, continued to dominate the powerplay, smashing eight boundaries and three sixes, as Karachi reached 70 without loss in the first six overs.

Though James Vince, Saad Baig, Irfan Khan and Mohammad Nabi entered with promise, none offered significant resistance. Vince departed for 4 off 9 balls, falling to Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Rauf, who spearheaded the Lahore attack, dismissed Baig and added two more scalps to return with figures of 3 for 35. Afridi took two wickets for 47, while Zaman Khan, Mohammad Naeem and Shakib claimed a wicket each. A brief cameo by Khushdil Shah, who struck 27 off 14 balls, allowed Kings to finish at 190.

Chasing 191, Lahore Qalandars began with intensity. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem forged a 42-run opening partnership, disrupted when pacer Hasan Ali dismissed Naeem for 14 off 12. Fakhar, unfazed, unleashed a flurry of boundaries – five fours and three sixes – during his 28-ball 47 before Fawad Ali removed him.

Abdullah Shafique then steadied the innings with a crucial knock, constructing a composed 65 and forming a valuable partnership with Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Perera, who contributed 30. The Qalandars cruised to victory with six wickets in hand.

Among the bowlers for Karachi, Hasan Ali led with two wickets for 37 runs. Fawad Ali and Mir Hamza claimed one scalp each but failed to contain Lahore’s batting order.

With this result, Lahore Qalandars progressed to the second Eliminator against Islamabad United on Friday, while Quetta Gladiators had already advanced to the final – their first since 2019.