PSL 8: Karachi Kings crush Lahore Qalandars by 67 runs

Karachi Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by 67 runs to secure their maiden victory in the eighth match of the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Sunday.

Put to bat first, Karachi Kings posted a competitive 186-run target on the scoreboard before bowling out Lahore Qalandars for 118 runs in 17.3 overs.

Skipper Imad Wasim struck in his last over after Akif Javed took two wickets to put Karachi Kings in control against Lahore Qalandars.

After Aamer Yamin and Mohammad Amir gave the Kings two early breakthroughs, Tahir Baig and Kamran Ghulam led the run-chase.

But young bowler Akif, who was roped in as a replacement for an injured Mir Hamza, struck twice in his third over to send the two batters back to the pavilion.

The young opening batter, Tahir, scored 45 runs off 39 balls, while Kamran gathered 23 runs.

After that, Imad added to the defending champions' miseries as he tricked Hussain Talat with a spinning delivery, which the all-rounder missed and Matthew Wade was quick to tumble the stumps.

Yamin struck again as he got the wicket of the dangerous batter David Wiese, who left the field after scoring only nine runs.

In a bid to chase down the target, the Qalandars kept losing wickets as Ben Cutting claimed two wickets in his first over bowled at a crucial time. The all-rounder took the wickets of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza (18).

Akif continued to impress in his last over and helped his side win their first match of the PSL 2023 by sending Liam Dawson and Zaman Khan back to the pavilion.

The Qalandars had made a good start as Fakhar Zaman and Tahir started the run-chase with a great approach, hitting boundaries on numerous occasions.

However, the home side found the breakthrough as Yamin toppled Fakhar's stumps with a good length delivery after the left-handed batter scored 15 runs off 12 balls.

In the next over, Amir claimed the



crucial wicket of Shai Hope, who had to walk back after scoring only one run.

A brilliant catch from Irfan Niazi was the reason for Hope's departure.

Earlier, Karachi Kings handed Lahore Qalandars a target of 186 runs.

After James Vince's 46-run knock, skipper Imad Wasim and Ben Cutting put on a 50-run partnership to help their side post a competitive total against the defending champions.

However, Ben Cutting (20) was bowled out by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who delivered a fiery delivery to topple the stumps.

The home side's skipper, Imad, scored a crucial 35 runs off 19 balls.

Before the two all-rounders' partnership, the Qalandars took three quick wickets to make a comeback against the Kings.

Vince and Matthew Wade, promoted to open, stitched a 69-run partnership for the first wicket to put their side in control.

However, the Australian batter was sent packing after scoring 36 runs following a run-out.

Haider Ali was the next batter to take the crease, but his stay was brief as Liam Dawson bowled him out after he gathered 18 runs.

Despite losing Wade and Haider, the home side were in a good spot, but Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan struck to help their side turn things around.

Rauf sent veteran batter Shoaib Malik (10) back to the pavilion, while Zaman toppled Vince's wickets to reduce them to 124-4.

The England batter scored 46 runs off 36 balls, including three boundaries and two maximums.

For Lahore Qalandars, skipper Shaheen, Zaman, Haris and Dawson claimed a wicket each.

Playing XIs:

Karachi Kings: James Vince, Haider Ali, Matthew Wade(w), Irfan Niaz Khan, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim(c), Ben Cutting, Aamer Yamin, Akif Javed, Mohammad Amir, Imran Tahir.

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Shai Hope, Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan