Lahore Qalandars showcased their PSL X title ambitions in emphatic style with a crushing 65-run victory over Karachi Kings at the National Stadium. The dominant performance not only reinforced their position as one of the tournament favorites but also propelled them to second place on the points table with a healthy net run rate of 2.051.
Opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars made full use of a batting-friendly surface, racking up 201/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Fakhar Zaman continued his golden run in the PSL, crafting a blistering 76 off 47 balls, decorated with six boundaries and five towering sixes. He found a perfect ally in New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who smashed 75 off 41 deliveries at a strike rate nearing 183, setting the tone with a commanding 87-run stand. Finishing touches were provided by Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza, whose late cameos ensured the Qalandars breached the 200-run mark.
Karachi Kings’ bowling attack lacked control and consistency, with only Hasan Ali standing out. The experienced pacer picked up 4 wickets for 28 runs, stemming the flow momentarily, but lacked support from the other end as Lahore’s batting firepower took charge.
The run chase never really took off for Karachi, as Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a dream first over, removing both David Warner and James Vince in a fiery spell. The early collapse left Karachi reeling, and they never recovered. The Qalandars’ bowling unit, led by Rishad Hossain, Sikandar Raza, and Asif Afridi, tightened the screws further, not allowing any breathing room for the Kings’ batters.
Although Hasan Ali and Khushdil Shah tried to salvage some pride with a brief resistance, the target remained out of reach as Karachi folded well short of the mark. The result leaves them in fourth place on the points table with a negative net run rate of -1.417, making their playoff aspirations more difficult as the tournament progresses.
For Lahore, this win not only adds two vital points but significantly strengthens their net run rate—a factor that often proves decisive in closely fought tournaments. As PSL X gathers momentum, the Qalandars look well poised to push for a top spot, while Karachi Kings face an uphill task to stay in contention.
The action continues in PSL X with Multan Sultans set to clash with unbeaten Islamabad United in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
