Abdullah Shafique (65), Fakhar Zaman (47) and Haris Rauf (3-35) helped Lahore Qalandars knock Karachi Kings out of the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL X) in the first Eliminator at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.
LAHORE QALANDARS' INNINGS
Chasing a 191-run target, the Qalandars completed the equation with comfort, beating the Kings by six-wicket margin. The Qalandars’ openers were off to a fiery start, stitching a 42-run partnership, before it was broken by Hasan Ali. Naeem made his way back to the pavilion by scoring 12 balls and 14, lacing with one boundary and one six.
Fakhar Zaman continued to accelerate the Qalandars’ innings, scoring a 28-ball 47, smashing five boundaries and three six, before he was removed by Fawad Ali. Byt Abdullah Shafique stitched a crucial partnership with Kusal Perera (30) to ensure the Qalandars swept past the Kings.
For the Kings, Hasan Ali (2-37) picked up two wickets.
Fawad Ali (1-27) and Mir Hamza (1-32) took a scalp each.
KARACHI KINGS' INNINGS
David Warner’s brilliant 52-ball 75 powered Karachi Kings to 190-8 against Lahore Qalandars in the first Eliminator of the tenth edition of the PSL X.
After opting to bat first, the Kings were off to a terrific start with both Warner and Tim Seifert had stitched 43-run partnership. Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had removed Karachi Kings opener Tim Seifert (16 off 8).
Warner had continued to treat the Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers with contempt by brilliant batting. The Kings were off to a herculean start in the powerplay, scoring insurmountable 70 in the first six overs.
Warner creamed eight boundaries and three sixes in his brilliant innings. In the death overs, it was Khushdil Shah, who played an unbeaten cameo, scoring 14-ball 27, laced with three boundaries and two boundaries.
Haris Rauf had picked up a wicket of Saad Baig, but David Warner had continued to treat the Qalandars’ bowling attack with utter contempt.
James Vince, who had a terrific season with the Kings, could not show significant resistance with the bat and perished on 9 balls, 4 off Shakib Al Hasan.
Other batters, including Tim Seifert (16), James Vince (4), Saad Baig (11), Irfan Khan (18), Mohammad Nabi (16), Abbas Afridi (2), Hasan Ali (0) had failed to show significant resistance with the bat.
Mir Hamza (2) remained unbeaten.
For the Qalandars, Haris Rauf (3-35) picked up three wickets.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-47) took two wickets.
Zaman Khan (1-49), Shakib Al Hasan (1-4) and Mohammad Naeem (1-15) took a scalp each.
It is pertinent to note that the Qalandars will take on Islamabad United in the second Eliminator of the PSL X at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. Quetta Gladiators had already qualified for the final for the first time since 2019.
TOSS
Karachi Kings have elected to bat first against Lahore Qalanadars in the first Eliminator of the domestic premium tournament.
PLAYING XI
Lahore Qalandars XI: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi (cap), Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf
Karachi Kings XI: David Warner (cap), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza
