PSL 7: Karachi Kings finally ended their notorious winless run in this edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a 22 run victory over home team Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Karachi who had lost 8 out 8 games this season opted to bat after winning the toss.
A change in order meant Joe Clarke opened the batting with Babar Azam but it didn’t work for them as Zaman Khan got the early wicket of Clarke. Sharjeel Khan was also sent packing by Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi as beleaguered Kings were 2 down for 24 runs.
Babar Azam then stitched a partnership with youngster Qasim Akram as the duo helped rebuild the inning. But Rashid Khan pegged them back with the wicket of Akram.
Rashid would then account for Babar’s dismissal once gain, getting rid of the Pakistan national captain twice in the season.
Wickets kept falling, and despite a late flurry by Lewis Gregory, Kings could only post 149 runs in 19.5 overs.
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The target looked par for Lahore backed by a boisterous home crowd. But this was to pacer Mir Hamza’s night. Hamza got rid of in form Fakhar Zaman in his first over and then sent Abdullah Shafique back to dressing room in his second one.
Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hafeez steadied the ship for Qalandars who looked on course but three quick wickets turned the tide. First Kamran went after Imad and was caught by Akram, then Phil Salt was dismissed by Chris Jordan. Few moments later Hafeez was run out after a mix up as the home team went from 52/2 in 8.3 overs to 64/5 in 11.2 overs.
Still Lahore were favourities to take the game after David Weise combined with Harry Brook to add 55 runs for the sixth wicket. With 31 needed off the last 2 overs and two set batsman on crease it was looking like Karachi would be going 9 games winless, but Mir Hamza had other plans.
The fast bowler dismissed Harry Brook off the first ball of the 19th over and after he was hit for a six he ended Wiese’s stay on the pitch with a perfect yorker. Chris Jordan then ensured no hiccups take place in the final over as Karachi Kings recorded their first win of the season and that too on the home turf of their arch rivals.