LAHORE – Lahore Qalandars sustained their winning force in the HBL PSL X with a resounding 65-run victory over Karachi Kings in march 6 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Tuesday night. The Qalandars were mechanical by explosive half-centuries from Fakhar Zaman and Daryl Mitchell, followed by a clinical bowling exhibition led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rishad Hossain.Batting first, the Qalandars dispatched a commanding 201-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite an early tremble, Fakhar Zaman led the recovery with a scorching 76 off 47 balls, great six fours and five sixes. He found an able partner in Daryl Mitchell, who fixed out an easy 75 from just 41 deliveries, sprinkled with nine boundaries and two maximums.
The pair added a game-defining 125 runs off 70 balls for the third wicket, taking momentum definitely for the guests. While Hasan Ali impressed with the ball, demanding 4 wickets for 28 runs in a burning four-over spell, late sparklers from Sikandar Raza (10* off 5 balls) and Sam Billings (19 off 10) established Lahore spanned the 200-run mark.
In response, Karachi Kings distressed early and never rather recovered. Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in the very first over, dismissal both opposition skipper David Warner and last match’s centurion James Vince for ducks. His opening eruption set the quality, and Rishad Hossain compounded the Kings’ sadness with crucial middle-order wickets.
Rishad guided back Shan Masood (18 off 14) and Tim Seifert (18 off 22), reducing Karachi to 46-5 within the first eight overs. Despite a late struggle from Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali, who added 48 runs for the eighth wicket, the mark proved too sheer. Khushdil top-scored with 39 off 27 balls, while Hasan disjointed in with 27 off 25. Sikandar Raza enfolded up the innings, demanding the final wicket of Adam Milne (16), as Karachi were bowled out for 136 in 19.1 overs. The victory noticeable Lahore Qalandars’ second win of the season and armored their dominance early in the tournament.
LAHORE QALANDARS 201/6 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 76, Daryl Mitchell 75; Hasan Ali 4-28) beat KARACHI KINGS 136 all out in 19.1 overs (Khushdil Shah 39, Hasan Ali 27; Rishad Hossain 3-26, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-34) by 65 runs.
