KARACHI: Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Irfan Khan displayed remarkable composure as Karachi Kings secured a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the 26th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 on Saturday at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
Karachi Kings successfully chased down a challenging target of 178 runs, sealing the victory on the last ball of the match with Shoaib Malik hitting a boundary off Zaman Khan.
James Vince and Tim Seifert started the chase aggressively for Karachi Kings. Vince took the charge mostly while Seifert played an anchor role. The Englishman smashed 42 before Tayyab Abbas dismissed him. Skipper Shan Masood came one down and paired with Seifert post 40-run stand. Shan Masood (24) was clean bowled by Sikandar Raza to have a mini collapse with Kieron Pollard and Seifert also going back to the pavilion.
Tayyab had the better of Keiron Pollard, who only scored 3 while Seifert was run out in a bizarre way in the 15th over. Shoaib Malik chipped the bowl with Tayyab getting his fingertips on it while it was heading in the direction of stumps at the non-striker’s end. The bowler made contact with Seifert thinking he was short of the crease and returned to the dugout with the third umpire giving not out.
Seifert left the crease at the non-striker’s end when Malik came at the non-striker’s end too and by that time fielder pinged a throw to Shai Hope who removed the bails at his end too, leaving Seifert to remain out.
Malik was joined by Irfan Khan Niazi, who played a crucial 16-ball 35 which led Karachi Kings to make a comeback in the game. Irfan Khan Niazi hit six fours which included some delightful ramp shots.
Malik kept his cool after Irfan’s dismissal and found boundaries for Karachi Kings. The game went down to the last ball with Shoaib Malik hitting a boundary, keeping Karachi Kings in the hunt for the spot in playoffs.
With this victory, the Karachi Kings have kept their hopes alive for a spot in the playoffs of the PSL season nine.
Lahore Qalandars Batting Against Karachi Kings
Earlier opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted a competitive total on the scoreboard, anchored by a strong second-wicket partnership. Despite an early setback with the loss of opener Tahir Baig, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique led a remarkable recovery, forging a vital 70-run stand for the second wicket. Fakhar Zaman’s blazing 35-ball 54 and Abdullah Shafique’s brilliant 39-ball 55 steered Lahore Qalandars to 177-5.
Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive fifty and Abdullah’s composed half-century propelled Lahore Qalandars’ innings, but Karachi Kings’ bowlers, led by Zahid Mahmood, managed to restrict them to a formidable total.
Sikandar Raza remained unbeaten, scoring 16-ball 22 runs, lacing with two fours and one six. David Wiese scored 24 off 9 deliveries who played a fiery and unconquered cameo, studding with three sixes. Shai Hope (9 off 11) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 off 3) failed to show strong resistance with the bat for Lahore Qalandars.
For the Karachi Kings, Zahid Mahmood (2-27) remained a standout bowler, scooping up two wickets. Anwar Ali (1–36) and Blessing Muzarabani (1–40) took a scalp each. Shoaib Malik (0-28) and Hasan Ali (0-30) remained wicketless.
Lahore Qalandars Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Shai Hope (wk), Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, David Wiese, Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Jahandad Khan, Tayyab Abbas, Zaman Khan
Karachi Kings Playing XI
James Vince, Tim Seifert (wk), Shan Masood (c), Shoaib Malik, Irfan Khan Niazi, Kieron Pollard, Anwar Ali, Hassan Ali, Arafat Minhas, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani
