PSL 8: Kings bludgeon Qalandars in lopsided contest
Cricket
Qalandars to face Sultans, United to Zalmi in playoffs
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Muhammad Akhlaq’s whirlwind 36-ball 51 and bowlers’ brilliance finally powered Karachi Kings to a comfortable 86-run victory against Lahore Qalandars in the 30th match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
LAHORE QALANDARS’ INNINGS
Chasing a target of 197, the Qalandars were bundled out for 110 in the 19th over as Rashid Khan had to retire hurt after hitting on the helmet, scoring 13-ball 6.
With the exception of Hussain Talat’s 25-ball 25, none of the Qalandars’ batters showed any significant resistance.
Fakhar Zaman (13), Abdullah Shafique (2), Kamran Ghulam (11), Sam Billings (11), David Wiese (2), Shane Dadswell (3), Haris Rauf (18), Dilbar Hussain (8) and Zaman Khan (6) failed to show any significant resistance.
For the Kings, every bowler made contributions. Akif Javed was brilliant with the bowl, bagging two wickets and conceded only two wickets.
Mohammad Umar (2-20), Imran Tahir (2-24) and Imad Wasim (2-26) scooped up two wickets apiece. James Fuller (1-29) bagged a wicket.
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) March 12, 2023
KARACHI KINGS’ INNINGS
After opting to bat, the Kings had to bear the early loss of Haider Ali, who made his way back to the pavilion scoring just 5-ball 8. But it was the newcomers, Muhammad Akhlaq and Tayyab Tahir, who stitched an important partnership of 39-ball 70, paving way for the Kings to score formidable 196-7.
Muhammad Akhlaq scored brilliant 36-ball 51, studded with five boundaries and two sixes.
Tayyab Tahir clubbed four boundaries and one towering six in 23 balls to score 40.
This was not the first time in the season that Imad Wasim flaunted his excellent batting skills. Imad Wasim scored 31-ball 45, laced with six boundaries, before he was flummoxed by Zaman Khan. Imad made a brilliant partnership with Ben Cutting. Across 31 balls, 52 runs were plundered by Imad and Cutting.
Ben Cutting made a solid contribution for his team, scoring quickfire 14-ball 33, smashing two boundaries and three sixes.
Qasim Akram (2), Irfan Khan (0), James Fuller (10) and Mohammad Umar (1) failed to show any significant resistance.
For the Qalandars, Zaman Khan (2-39), Hussain Talat (2-24) and Haris Rauf (2-52) scooped up two wickets apiece. Dilbar Hussain (1-37) bagged a wicket.
David Wiese (0-6), Rashid Khan (0-30) and Shane Dadswell (0-8) remained wicketless.
— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) March 12, 2023
TOSS
Karachi Kings opted to bat first against Lahore Qalandars in the 30th match of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Lahore Qalandars.
For the Qalandars, Shaheen Shah Afridi was not playing today as the home side had already cemented their place to the playoffs. David Wiese was leading the Qalandars.
Muhammad Akhlaq made his debut for the Kings.
SQUADS
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 12, 2023
Lahore Qalandars
Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Shane Dadswell, Rashid Khan, David Wiese (c), Dilbar Hussain, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) March 12, 2023
Karachi Kings
Haider Ali, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Ben Cutting, Irfan Khan Niazi, James Fuller, Imran Tahir, Muhammad Umer, Akif Javed
— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) March 12, 2023
