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LAHORE: Irfan Khan’s unbeaten 48* powered Karachi Kings to a thrilling win against Lahore Qalandars in the rain-affected 24th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 168, Karachi Kings secured the victory on the third ball of the penultimate over, losing six wickets in the process.
Captain David Warner and Tim Seifert provided a strong start for the Kings, putting together a quick 40-run opening partnership in just three overs.
Haris Rauf ended this partnership on the first ball of the fourth over by bowling out Warner, who scored 24 runs from 13 deliveries.
Seifert was dismissed shortly after by Asif Afridi in the next over, contributing 24 runs off just 10 balls.
James Vince managed to score 13 runs, while Saad Baig added 25 runs from 15 balls. Following these wickets, the Kings found themselves in a difficult position at 100/4 after 9.2 overs.
Irfan Niazi then took control of the innings, partnering with Khushdil Shah, but Shah was removed by Haris Rauf after scoring nine runs.
Niazi then formed a vital 45-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi, helping the Karachi Kings reach 161/5 in 14 overs, with seven runs needed from the final over.
Nabi was out on the very first ball of that over, bringing Hasan Ali to the crease.
Ali took a single on the second ball, allowing Niazi to take the strike again. Niazi then hit a six on the third ball of the final over, sealing the victory for his team in dramatic fashion.
Earlier, Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman’s brisk knock propelled Lahore Qalandars to a strong total.
Put into bat, Lahore Qalandars posted 160 for the loss of eight wickets in 15 overs.
The home side openers were off to a flyer, scoring 90 for the loss of one wicket in just 7.5 overs. Mohammad Naeem led the charge after receiving a reprieve early in the innings due to a dropped catch by Amir Jamal.
He dominated Karachi Kings fast bowler Hasan Ali, scoring 22 runs in the second last over of the powerplay, thus reaching his consecutive half-century in the process.
The right-handed batter was eventually dismissed after a brisk 65 off 29 deliveries, laced with five sixes and six fours. It was all going the Qalandars’ way before rain halted play.
Following the rain break, the momentum shifted towards the Karachi Kings, who reduced Qalandars to 122 for 3 in 11 overs despite a 16-run over from Amir Jamal.
Abbas Afridi took two wickets in consecutive deliveries during the 11th over, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Daryl Mitchell, which brought Kings back into to game.
However, Fakhar Zaman helped his team in reaching a challenging total with a gutsy 51 off 33 balls, striking four fours and three sixes.
For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 27 in three overs. Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza Amir Jamal bagged one wicket each.
PLAYING XIs
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Rishad Hossain, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza
READ: Shahnawaz Dahani replaces injured Adam Milne in Karachi Kings squad
