Karachi Kings journey in Pakistan Super League season 9 continues as they stunned Lahore Qalandars to stay alive in playoffs.
Shan Masood’s squad had a close contest with Afridi’s Qalandars and the hosts won the game by three wickets at National Bank Cricket Arena in port city.
Chasing a target of 178 runs, Kings tap victory on the last ball of the final over with a boundary from Shoaib Malik. James Vince and Tim Seifert started the chase with full throttle, with Vince scoring 42 before being dismissed by Tayyab Abbas.
Skipper Shan Masood, stitched decent partnership with Seifert, who played the anchor role. However, Masood (24) was bowled by Sikandar Raza, triggering a mini-collapse with Kieron Pollard and Seifert also getting out.
Seifert was run out in the 15th over. Malik then got support of Irfan Khan Niazi, who played much needed 16-ball 35, leading Karachi Kings to make a comeback in the game. The 21-year-old hit six fours, including some delightful ramp shots.
Malik, being a seasoned player, remained composed and game went down to the last ball, with power hitter slamming boundary to secure victory for Karachi.
Earlier, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique scored rapid half-centuries, propelling Lahore Qalandars to a total of 177/5. Fakhar and Abdullah forged a brisk 70-run partnership for the second wicket, with Fakhar reaching his half-century in just 32 deliveries.
Abdullah accelerated to his half-century in 36 deliveries, becoming the top-scorer for Lahore Qalandars with 55 runs off 39 balls.
In the bowling department, Zahid Mahmood led the attack for Karachi Kings, securing two wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani and Anwar Ali claimed one scalp each.
Squads
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Shai Hope (wk), Sikandar Raza, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi (c), Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, Tayyab Abbas
Karachi Kings: James Vince, Tim Seifert (wk), Shan Masood (c), Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Irfan Khan Niazi, Anwar Ali, Arafat Minhas, Hassan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani
