PSL 2017: Karachi Kings pull off stunning win against Lahore Qalandars

DUBAI: Kieron Pollard hit two successive sixes off the last two balls as Karachi Kings pulled off a stunning victory against Lahore Qalandars in a must-win match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Dubai International Stadium in UAE on Saturday.

With 14 to go in the last over, Pollard, who struck four 6s and one 4 in his 45 from 20 balls, held his nerve to guide his side to the win.

Young Pakistani batsman Babar Azam hit 49 runs early in the inning to set up the chase for the likes of Pollard and Imad Wasim.

Earlier, some late hitting by wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan (31) and all-rounder (21) Sohail Tanvir helped Lahore Qalandars set a target of 156 for Karachi Kings.

At one stage, Qalandars lost 6 wickets with 100 runs on the board, but Rizwan-Tanvir duo set up a 54-run partnership to finish the inning on 154/6 in 20 overs.

Qalandars captain Brendon McCullum opening the batting made 31 r1 runs to lay the foundation for the middle-order but regular wickets thwarted their chance of posting a good total.

19.6 SIX! Aamer Yamin to Kieron Pollard

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/WFCbbCr5J7

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

19.5 SIX! Aamer Yamin to Kieron Pollard

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/hqt1spiBNZ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

Imad Wasim hits a big 6 off McCullum, Kings need 54 in the last 5 overs, This is promising to be a real cliffhanger #HBLPSL #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/G56mlC3RdU

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

 

12.3 OUT! Fakhar Zaman to Babar Azam

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/18OA9etjwK

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

11.2 OUT! Sunil Narine to Kumar Sangakkara

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/1cHLrisuXc

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

2.6 OUT! Sohail Tanvir to Mahela Jayawardene

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/AvpaWyxjmV

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

The Kings bowlers have restricted the Qalandars to 155 runs. Can the Kings chase this & get closer to securing a spot in the playoff #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/rSbkADiqSz

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

Qalandars recover well in the final overs to post a competitive 155/6. Can the bowlers restrict the powerful Kings batting? #HBLPSL #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/4aeX8hCjB6

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

This is a must-win game for both Karachi Kings and Lahore Lions. The winner will be through to the play-off while the losing side will have to pack up and leave.

17.1 SIX! Sohail Khan to Mohammad Rizwan

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/LJ8tYKjxB0

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

Qalandars continue to lose wickets as the Kings bowlers tighten the noose. Great passage of play for the Karachi team! #HBLPSL #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/jWJHLwgMQi

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

13.1 OUT! Usama Mir to Umar Akmal

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/nzxq5aWhIw

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

12.4 OUT! Shoaib Malik to Sunil Narine

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/sCc9xeNfqJ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

11.6 SIX! Usama Mir to Sunil Narine

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/YyQL8Vx4EU

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

McCullum is sent back by Usama Mir as Kings make a vital breakthrough! Can they restrict Qalandars to a low total? #HBLPSL #LQvKK pic.twitter.com/ZwXKtgKHFq

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

7.1 SIX! Usama Mir to Umar Akmal

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#KKvLQ #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/smsmKogNsY

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

McCullum & Fakhar building a decent partnership as Qalandars eye a big score. Kings striving for wickets! #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/mbvjtwLv38

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

0.5 OUT! Mohammad Amir to Cameron Delport

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#LQvKK #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/wJbnWJk8c7

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

1.6 SIX! Imad Wasim to Fakhar Zaman

watch https://t.co/VKqPxYves5#LQvKK #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/csAvSx7yU1

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

In the last match Quetta Gladitors was defeated by Islamabad United by 1 run, but still they managed to lead the point table securing 1st position with "9" points having the positive NET RR of  "+0.260". Where as Karachi Kings are almost out of the tournament as top 4 teams will be qualifying for the Semi-Finals, and kings are at 5th position with "4" points having the negative NET RR of "-0.206".

Squad: 

Lahore Qalandars: Brendon McCullum (captain), Azhar Ali, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Sunil Narine, Umar Akmal, Jason Roy, Yasir Shah, James Franklin, Mohammad Rizwan, Cameron Delport, Fakhar Zaman, Bilawal Bhatti, Ghulam Mudassar, Usman Qadir, Grant Elliot, Chris Green, Saif Badar, Mohammad Irfan (Jr.), Zafar Gohar

Karachi Kings: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Shoaib Malik, Chris Gayle, Babar Azam, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Safiullah Bangash, Shazaib Hasan, Sohail Khan, Kieron Pollard, Ryan McLaren, Khurram Manzoor, Kashif Bhatti, Usman Khan, Hasan Mohsin, Mahela Jayawardene, Usama Mir, Rahat Ali, Amad Alam - SAMAA