In a tense, low-scoring affair at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by four wickets in PSL 11 on Sunday. Chasing a modest 129, the Kings reached their target with three balls to spare, thanks to a composed knock from Muhammad Waseem and a dramatic final over.
The chase began disastrously for Karachi. Captain David Warner fell for eight, and Salman Ali Agha departed for a golden duck in the third over, both victims of Shaheen Shah Afridi. With just 10 runs on the board, the Kings were in deep trouble.
However, opener Muhammad Waseem steadied the innings. He built crucial partnerships with youngster Saad Baig (19) and Moeen Ali, guiding his team towards the target. Waseem top-scored with a gritty 38 off 37 balls before Shaheen dismissed him in the 15th over.
Shaheen struck again immediately, removing Moeen Ali for 18, leaving Karachi struggling at 88-5. The equation then came down to Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan to finish the job.
The pair added 32 runs for the sixth wicket, bringing the requirement to 14 off the final over. But before the over began, umpires penalised the Qalandars five runs for altering the ball’s condition, reducing the target to just nine.
Haris Rauf started the final over perfectly, dismissing Khushdil (13) on the first ball. That wicket brought Abbas Afridi to the crease. The right-hander then smashed Rauf for a four and a six off his first two deliveries, sealing an enthralling victory for Karachi.
Shaheen Afridi was the standout bowler for Lahore, finishing with exceptional figures of 4/18 in his four overs.
Earlier, Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi’s decision to bat first backfired as his side managed only 128/9. The innings never gained momentum after Moeen Ali stumped Fakhar Zaman for one in the first over.
Abdullah Shafique anchored the innings with a top score of 33, while Haseebullah Khan contributed a cautious 28. A 43-run partnership between Haseebullah and Sikandar Raza (19) offered some resistance, but the Kings’ bowling attack maintained relentless pressure.
Adam Zampa earned Player of the Match honours for his economical spell, claiming 2/11 in four overs. Mir Hamza and Moeen Ali also bagged two wickets each, while Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha, and Abbas Afridi chipped in with one apiece.
