- May 5, 2025
LQ vs KK (Match – 24) – Highlights
In a contest brimming with adrenaline and intensity, Karachi Kings edged out arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in a rain-curtailed encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, thanks to a scintillating knock from the burgeoning talent Muhammad Irfan Khan. The fixture, reduced to 15 overs a side due to inclement weather, culminated in a dramatic four-wicket triumph for the Kings, propelled by Irfan’s unbeaten 48 off a mere 21 deliveries.
Chasing a revised target of 167, set through the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method following a mid-innings interruption, Karachi’s batting effort was a study in controlled aggression and strategic acceleration. Despite the pressure of a daunting run-rate, the Kings exhibited remarkable composure, reaching the target with three balls to spare.
The chase was set ablaze by the opening duo of Tim Seifert and David Warner. Their blistering 40-run stand in just over three overs laid a robust foundation. Warner’s calculated belligerence, evidenced by his two sixes and two boundaries in a 13-ball 24, dovetailed effectively with Seifert’s 10-ball cameo, which included a towering six. Although James Vince failed to capitalise, his quick 13 off 12 balls ensured the momentum did not falter early.
However, it was Irfan Khan’s innings that proved epoch-defining. Walking in at 74-3, he immediately took the attack to the opposition with authoritative stroke play, targeting the premier bowlers with surgical precision. His partnership with Saad Baig (25 off 15) was vital in maintaining tempo, but the defining moment arrived in the penultimate overs. With the required rate surging to 16 per over, Irfan displayed nerves of steel and raw power, dispatching Shaheen Shah Afridi—one of the league’s most formidable pacers—for three colossal sixes in a single over, yielding 21 priceless runs.
Not one to be overshadowed, Mohammad Nabi added firepower with an impactful 15 off 8 balls, his contribution instrumental in a 45-run stand for the sixth wicket that came off just 17 deliveries. Irfan’s subsequent assault on Haris Rauf, including a boundary and a six on consecutive deliveries, essentially extinguished Qalandars’ hopes. Even though Nabi perished in the final over, Irfan fittingly sealed the deal with a thunderous six off Daryl Mitchell, affirming his stature as a burgeoning finisher.
Earlier in the evening, Lahore’s innings, anchored by flamboyant fifties from Fakhar Zaman (51 off 33) and Mohammad Naeem (65 off 29), had promised a commanding total. The pair’s opening stand of 90 in 7.5 overs was electric. Yet, post-rain lethargy and incisive bowling from Abbas Afridi, who scalped 4 for 27 in three overs, triggered a catastrophic collapse as the Qalandars lost seven wickets for just 39 runs in their final 7.1 overs.
This enthralling victory rejuvenated Karachi’s playoff hopes, elevating them to third place on the table with 10 points. It also sent a resounding statement about their batting depth and resilience. While Quetta Gladiators became the first team to qualify for the playoffs, Karachi Kings’ resurgence, underlined by Irfan Khan’s career-best, added a compelling layer to the PSL narrative.
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Scoreboard
Lahore Qalandars – 160/8 (15.0)
Karachi Kings – 168/6 (14.3)
Result – Karachi Kings won by 4 wickets (DLS method)
Player of the match – Irfan Khan
Irfan Khan
LQ vs KK Playing XIs
Lahore Qalandars | Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rishad Hossain, Asif Afridi, Haris Rauf |
Karachi Kings | David Warner, Tim Seifert, James Vince, Saad Baig, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Abbas Afridi |
Disclaimer: These Match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.
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