Karachi: Karachi Kings finally won the first match in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8th edition after losing consecutively three back to back matches.
Karachi Kings thrashed Lahore Qalandars by huge 67 runs.
Kings, have been struggling to register a victory in the mega cricket event so far with three back-to-back defeats against Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators.
After their first win against hosts Sultans in the tournament’s first game, Qalandars were anticipating another victory with aims to defeat the Kings on its home ground.
Karachi Kings Sunday had given Lahore Qalandars a whopping 186-run target to chase in the ongoing Pakistan Super League’s eighth match at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
Clinical performance by the @KarachiKingsARY gets them their BIGGEST victory in the HBL PSL, that too against rivals @lahoreqalandars.
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2023
Fans, thoughts on today's game?#SabSitarayHumaray | #HBLPSL8 l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/tJ1wWokRiE
Following James Vince’s 46-run knock, Kings’ captain Imad Wasim and all-rounder Ben Cutting scored a 50-run partnership helping their side post a competitive total against the defending champions.
Cutting, however, was dismissed by Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Afridi, who delivered a fiery delivery to topple the stumps. Meanwhile, Imad scored a crucial 35 runs off 19 balls.
Spin to win 🌪️#SabSitarayHumaray | #HBLPSL8 l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/ggvBnU5UGD
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2023
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.
WOW, Karachi. You are a force 👏🏽#SabSitarayHumaray l #KKvLQ l #HBLPSL8 pic.twitter.com/qjVoLDnSC9
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2023
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.
Competition as fierce as the city rivalry led to a 180+ score for @KarachiKingsARY. Can the @lahoreqalandars top this?#SabSitarayHumaray l #KKvLQ l #HBLPSL8 pic.twitter.com/ho49SEn6cj
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2023
For Lahore Qalandars, skipper Shaheen, Zaman, Haris and Dawson claimed a wicket each.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars won the toss and opted to bowl first against Karachi Kings.
Playing XI
Karachi Kings:
Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik, Aamir Yamin, Akif Javed, Sharjeel Khan, Qasim Akram, Matthew Wade, Imran Tahir, James Vince, James Fuller, Andrew Tye, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mohammad Umar, Ben Cutting, Musa Khan, Faisal Akram (partial replacement for Tabraiz Shamsi), Adam Rossington (partial replacement for James Vince)
Lahore Qalandars:
Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Wiese, Abdullah Shafique, Shane Dadswell, Kamran Ghulam, Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, Dilbar Hussain, Mirza Tahir Baig, Ahmed Danlyal, Shawaiz Irfan, Jordan Cox, Jalat Khan, Ahsan Bhatti, Sam Billings (partial replacement for Rashid Khan) and Kusal Mendis (partial replacement for Jordan Cox)
