Lahore Qalandars ended Karachi Kings’ Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 campaign with a commanding six-wicket win in Eliminator 1 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. With the victory, Qalandars now advance to Eliminator 2, where they will face defending champions Islamabad United on Friday for a place in the tournament final.
Chasing a challenging target of 191, Qalandars crossed the finish line with eight balls to spare, losing only four wickets in the process. The win was anchored by Abdullah Shafique’s brilliant half-century, who top-scored with a 35-ball 65, featuring three fours and five sixes.
The innings began steadily for the home side with Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem adding 42 for the opening stand before Naeem departed in the fifth over for 14 off 12 balls. Fakhar continued the charge with a quick-fire 47 off 28 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and three sixes, before falling in the ninth over.
Shafique then took control of the chase, forming a crucial 83-run third-wicket partnership with Kusal Perera, who contributed a valuable 30 off 24 balls. Shafique departed in the 16th over, leaving Qalandars needing just 33 runs from 28 deliveries, which they achieved comfortably.
For Karachi, Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 32, while Fawad Ali and Mir Hamza claimed a wicket each.
Earlier, Karachi Kings posted a competitive 190/8 after opting to bat. Skipper David Warner led the scoring with a 52-ball 75, striking eight fours and three sixes. He was supported by Khushdil Shah’s late blitz—an unbeaten 27 off just 14 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Openers Warner and Tim Seifert provided a brisk start with a 43-run stand before Seifert was dismissed for 16. However, wickets fell at regular intervals, and it was only Khushdil’s late fireworks that lifted the Kings to a respectable total.
Haris Rauf was the standout performer with the ball for Qalandars, claiming 3 for 35 in his four overs. Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem, and Zaman Khan picked up one each.
Playing XIs:
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi (c), Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf.
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza.
