LAHORE: Karachi Kings finally got their first win in the ongoing Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition after they defeated Lahore Qalandars by 22 runs on Friday.
Chasing a 150-run target in match 26 of PSL 7, the Qalandars could just make 127 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs, with the most being scored by Mohammad Hafeez (33).
This was Karachi Kings first victory in the ongoing tournament after they suffered eight consecutive losses — most by any team in a single edition.
In order to defend 150 runs, Karachi bowlers had to do something special against a brilliant batting line-up of Lahore. So they did.
Chris Jordan, Imad Wasim, and Mir Hamza helped them successfully defend the 150-run target through their brilliant bowling.
Karachi bowlers applied pressure from the get-go by bowling tight lines and lengths which resulted in early wickets.
The in-form Fakhar Zaman was removed for one by left-arm pacer Mir Hamza with Lahore’s score of four runs on the board. Abdullah followed him six runs later when Hamza, who was exceptional with the new ball took his wicket.
Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Ghulam held the innings with a 42-run stand before the latter was out for 13 by Imad Wasim.
Phil Salt and Hafeez were also removed and the game looked out of Lahore’s grasp. It was Harry Brook and David Wiese who brought Qalandars back into the game.
Harry scored 26 runs, while Wiese was dismissed by Hamza for 31 runs in the 19th over when he was looking dangerous.
In the last over, Lahore needed 25 runs, and Jordan bowled brilliantly as he gave away just two runs and picked two wickets as Karachi finally got their first win of the season.
In terms of bowling for Karachi, all the bowlers were economical Hamza took 2-27, Jordan 2-23, and Imad 1-23 in their four over spells.
Earlier, after being invited to field first, the Qalandars bowled out Kings for 149 runs in 19.5 over, courtesy of four wickets each from star leggie Rashid Khan and young pacer Zaman Khan.
Karachi didn’t get a good start to their innings as opener Joe Clarke was removed with 12 runs on the board.
Twelve runs later Sharjeel Khan also followed him when Shaheen Shah got him lbw, while Babar Azam tried to hold the innings together.
Qasim Akram scored 26 runs in 18 balls, while Babar was once again removed by Rashid Khan for 39 runs on the first ball of the 11th over as he got him stumped to the outside the off-stump delivery.
Mohammad Nabi and Imad Wasim failed to play a huge knock getting out for eight runs each, while Lewis Gregory’s 28 runs helped Kings reach a total which was enough for them to defend and break their losing streak.
In terms of bowling, the young pacer Zaman Khan continued to show his skills as he picked four wickets for giving away 16 in 3.5 overs. Rashid Khan took four for 17 in four overs and was once again on-target with his line and length. Shaheen was also good with the new ball as he took one scalp. -Agencies
