The Karachi-Lahore rivalry may be fierce but on Tuesday night only one team showed up with intent and execution.
Lahore Qalandars crushed Karachi Kings by 65 runs in a completely one-sided affair at the National Stadium, securing their second consecutive win in the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Lahore’s batting and bowling units outshine their arch-rivals in every department in the sixth match of the country’s premier T20 tournament.
Shaheen’s fierce opening
Batting second after losing the toss, Karachi’s chase was derailed early on as Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in the first over, removing both David Warner and James Vince for a duck each.
The left-arm pacer’s early dent in the power-play set the tone of the match leading Lahore to secure another comfortable win as he went onto grab a total of three wickets.
Rishad Hossain further tightened the screws with a spell that yielded three wickets, effectively dismantling Karachi’s middle order.
Karachi crumble under pressure
Shaheen’s early breakthroughs put Karachi on the back foot from the outset. His aggressive pace and precision disrupted Karachi’s top order, making it difficult for them to establish any momentum.
Chasing a formidable target of 201, the Kings found themselves under immense pressure. Despite efforts from their middle order, including a valiant 39-run effort from Khushdil Shah, the team struggled to build substantial partnerships.
Ultimately, the home side could only muster 139 in response before losing all their wickets, falling well short of the target.
Fakhar’s Brilliance
Earlier in the match, Lahore’s batting was anchored by an exhilarating 76 off 47 balls from Fakhar Zaman who was awarded Player of the Match.
“My role has always been of an aggressor no matter which side I play for,” Fakhar said in the post-match conference. “It wasn’t coming easily on the bat so we planned to build partnership and we thought if we keep wickets in hand, we can make runs in the end.
The left-hander’s aggressive stroke play and ability to find gaps kept the scoreboard ticking and demoralized Karachi’s bowlers.
Fakhar’s 125-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell, who contributed a solid 75 off 41 balls, laid a strong foundation for the visiting side. The duo’s combined efforts ensured that Lahore set a challenging target, which proved too much for Karachi to chase.
This victory not only boosts Lahore’s position in the standings but also narrows the historical head-to-head gap between the two sides. While Karachi has traditionally held the upper hand in this rivalry with 13 wins, Lahore’s recent performances suggest a shift in momentum.
The two sides will meet again this season on May 4th at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
