PSL 8: Kings thump Qalandars to end losing streak
Cricket
Vince, Akif power Kings to big victory over Qalandars
KARACHI (Web Desk) – Karachi Kings' losing streak in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ended as James Vince’s blistering 36-ball 46 and skipper Imad Wasim’s all-round performance stormed the hosts to comfortable 67-run victory against Lahore Qalandars in the eighth match of the eighth edition of the domestic premium tournament at Karachi on Sunday.
Chasing a mammoth total of 186 runs, Qalandars were bundled out for 118 . Only three of the Qalandars’ batters could reach double figures. Mirza Baig looked belligerent for his 39-ball 45, hammering three fours and two sixes. Kamran Ghulam made his way back to the pavilion, scoring 22-ball 23, hitting three boundaries. Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza compiled 12-ball 18.
The Qalandars were dismantled by pacer Akif Javed (4-28), who bagged four wickets. Akif was ably supported by Aamer Yamin (2-18), who took two wickets. Imad Wasim (1-23) and Mohammad Amir (1-12) took a scalp each.
After the Qalandars sent Kings into bat, James Vince blistering 36-ball 46 and Imad Wasim’s quickfire 19-ball 35 steered Karachi Kings to 185-5 against Lahore Qalandars.
Matthew Wade and James Vince put up a solid partnership of 70 runs. But unfortunately, Wade was run out on 24-ball 36, studded with four boundaries and one six.
But Vince and Haider Ali were able to form a partnership. Liam Dawson was too good to dismiss Haider Ali. Haider finished on 16-ball 18 with one boundary and a six.
Kings’ skipper Imad Wasim was once again brilliant with the bat and smoked a fiery 19-ball 35, clobbering two fours and two sixes.
Ben Cutting contributed as well, scoring 19-ball 20, smashing two boundaries and a towering six.
Shoaib Malik, who was in sublime form, managed to score 7-ball 10, studded with a six. He was removed by Qalandars’ pacer, Haris Rauf.
Shaheen Afridi (1-39), Haris Rauf (1-35), Zaman Khan (1-34), and Liam Dawson (1-29) bagged a wicket apiece.
In a high-octane clash, Lahore Qalandars opted to field first against Karachi Kings in the eighth match of the eight edition of the star-studded tournament.
For the Kings, Akif Javed was making his first appearance.
— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) February 19, 2023
Earlier, David Miller’s quickfire 25-ball 52 and Abbas Afridi’s 4-22 led Multan Sultans to 52-run victory over Islamabad United in the seventh match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Multan on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 191 runs, Islamabad United were bundled out for 138 in the 18th over. The United were toppled by Abbas Afridi, who took four wickets.Ihsanullah (2-19) and Usama Mir (2-33) were once again brilliant with the bowl, as both of them grabbed two wickets apiece. They were ably supported by Mohammad Ilyas (2-12), who also claimed two wickets.
— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) February 19, 2023
For the United, only Rassie van der Dussen and Colin Munro played some quality cricket. Dussen finished with a 32-ball 49, smashing five boundaries, and one sixer. Munro scored 23-ball 31 for his team, hitting one boundary and two sixes. Hasan Nawaz and Azam Khan made 21 and 16, respectively. Stirling was undone on 5 and skipper Shadab removed on 1.
Earlier, after losing Shan Masood on 4-ball 3, once again, Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan built up a solid partnership with Rilee Rossouw of 91. This collaboration aided the Sultans in gaining ground on the United and paved the way for David Miller's blistering knock.
Mohammad Rizwan was removed by Shadab Khan after promising a 38-ball 50, and smashing five boundaries and one six. Curran dismissed Russouw on 30-ball 36, which included two fours and two massive sixes.
Mohammad Wasim got better of David Miller on 25-ball 52. Miller smashed three fours and four towering sixes and powered the Sultans’ total to 190-4.
Rumman Raees (1-25), Mohammad Wasim (1-49), Shadab Khan (1-42), and Tom Curran (1-32) bagged a wicket apiece.
With this victory, the Sultans firmly cemented their first position in the points table.
Islamabad United opted to field first in the exciting clash against the Sultans in the domestic premium tournament.
