Sharjeel, Nabi propel Karachi Kings to massive score despite early setbacks

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Opener Sharjeel Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi’s splendid knocks turned the tables around after Lahore Qalandars blew away the top-order of the opposition as Karachi Kings ended with a total of 186 runs for the loss of nine wickets at the end of their allotted overs.

After Lahore Qalandars’ captain Sohail Akhtar won the toss and elected to field first, Karachi Kings received two let-offs early as fielders Sohail Akhtar and Fakhar Zaman dropped openers Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam respectively.

Pacer Shaheen Shah however charged through with a magical in swinger that cleaned up Karachi Kings most prolific batsman Babar Azam (Five off five balls).

Catastrophe struck for Karachi Kings soon after, as their hard-hitting batsman Joe Clarke (four off six balls) was run-out by fielder Haris Rauf.

Pacer Ahmed Daniyal put his side completely on top, bowling batsman Colin Ingram for a golden duck reducing Karachi Kings to 37 runs for the loss of three wickets in the first five overs.

The Sharjeel let-off at the start however came back to haunt the Qalandars as the opener embarked on a rampage that helped him score a quick fire 64-run knock off just 39 balls to guide his side out of a tricky period with a hefty run-rate.

All-rounder David Wiese finally got the batter of Sharjeel, after the partnership between him and all-rounder Nabi had swelled to 76 runs off 44 balls.

Nabi continued the momentum created by Sharjeel with a great display of power-hitting of his own. The all-rounder managed 57 runs off just 35 balls before succumbing to pacer Haris Rauf, caught by fielder Sohail Akhtar. His partnership with all-rounder Daniel Christian accounted for 45 runs off 26 balls as Karachi Kings charged towards a massive total.

All-rounder Samit Patel, who had gone for plenty earlier in the innings, made amends by removing skipper Imad Wasim for a golden duck.

Karachi Kings’ momentum however took a massive hit as all-rounder Daniel Christian, who had appeared to be in sublime form, departed after a horrible mixup with tailender Waqas Maqsood. The batsman had to depart after scoring 27 runs off just 14 balls.

The tailender was then cleaned up by Shaheen Shah in the final over after contributing 12 runs off 11 balls.

Shaheen then blew away Mohammad Amir for a duck as Karachi Kings finished on 186 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their alotted overs.

Shaheen Shah was the pick of the bowlers for Lahore Qalandars picking up three wickets in four overs at the expense of 27 runs.