PSL 10: Irfan Khan leads Karachi Kings to thrilling win over Lahore Qalandars in rain-hit clash

With this win, Karachi Kings earned two points and currently sit at the third of the PSL 10 points table

PHOTO: PCB

Muhammad Irfan Khan played a match-winning knock of 48 not out to guide Karachi Kings to a thrilling four-wicket victory against rivals Lahore Qalandars in the 24th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a revised target of 168 in 15 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Karachi Kings reached the target with three balls and four wickets to spare.

The Kings got off to a flying start as openers David Warner and Tim Seifert added 40 runs in just three overs. However, Haris Rauf struck early, dismissing Warner out for 24 off 13 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Seifert scored a quick 24 off 10 balls before being dismissed by Asif Afridi. Saad Baig then stepped up with a valuable 25-run cameo off 15 balls, hitting three fours and a six. He added crucial runs with James Vince (13) and Irfan Khan before being removed by Daryl Mitchell.

Karachi lost a fifth wicket at 116 when Rauf dismissed Khushdil Shah for nine. With 48 needed from 18 balls, Irfan Khan changed the game with powerful hitting, smashing two fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 48 off 21 balls. His 45-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi (15 off 8) proved decisive.

Mitchell and Rauf picked up two wickets each for Lahore, while Afridi and Rishad Hossain claimed one apiece.

Earlier, the match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to a rain delay. Lahore Qalandars, batting first, posted 160/8. Openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman gave their team a strong start, putting up 90 runs in eight overs.

Naeem was the top scorer with 65 off 29 balls, including six fours and five sixes, before being dismissed by Aamer Jamal. After rain interrupted play, Lahore lost momentum but managed to put together some key partnerships.

Abdullah Shafique made 18 off 11, while Fakhar Zaman scored a solid 51 off 33 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. Abbas Afridi was the standout bowler for Karachi Kings, finishing with 4/27 in three overs. Aamer Jamal, Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza took one wicket each.

With this win, Karachi Kings earned two points and currently sit at the third of the PSL 10 points table. Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars find themselves at the fourth after their ninth match.