LAHORE: On a humid summer night at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Qalandars held their nerve and overcame Karachi Kings with a clinical six-wicket win in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 Eliminator. Despite some sloppy fielding, Lahore’s solid all-round performance secured them a second eliminator showdown against Islamabad United.
Opting to bowl first, Lahore’s bowling attack — led by Haris Rauf — restricted Karachi Kings to 190-8. Haris claimed 3 wickets for 35 runs, dismissing key batters at crucial stages. However, it was their fielding that almost let them down, with multiple dropped catches including two costly misses off David Warner.
Warner made Qalandars pay with a commanding 75 off 52 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. The Australian left-hander was in sublime form, taking on Lahore’s pace battery with confidence. He smashed Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zaman Khan for sixes, helping Kings reach 70-1 inside the powerplay.
Shakib Al Hasan provided the first breakthrough for Lahore, removing James Vince in his first over. Haris Rauf then sent Saad Baig back with a brilliant delivery, backed by a diving catch from Kusal Perera. But Qalandars dropped Warner again — this time at deep square-leg — giving the opener more fuel to push on and complete his half-century.
Irfan Khan and Khushdil Shah tried to accelerate late in the innings. Haris returned to clean up Mohammad Nabi and put pressure back on Karachi. Khushdil made use of another dropped chance by Naeem and finished with 27 off 14, pushing the Kings to a competitive 190.
In response, Qalandars’ chase was powered by Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique. Fakhar gave them a flying start, smashing Hamza and Nabi for sixes before being dismissed for a rapid 47 off 28 balls. His fireworks had already set the tone with 60-1 in the powerplay.
Abdullah Shafique took the baton and delivered a match-winning knock. His 65 off 35 balls featured five massive sixes and three elegant fours. He toyed with Karachi’s bowling, especially Abbas Afridi and Hasan Ali, with clean, confident hitting. His fifty came in just 29 balls and he added a crucial 83-run partnership with Kusal Perera.
Perera anchored the innings, finding boundaries when needed and rotating the strike intelligently. Abdullah eventually fell to Hasan Ali, but by then, the damage was done. Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa guided Qalandars home with eight balls to spare, sealing a well-deserved victory.
The win means Qalandars stay alive in the tournament and will now face Islamabad United in the second Eliminator for a place in the final. Karachi Kings, despite Warner’s brilliance, crash out of PSL 2025 — left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of discipline with the ball.
Lahore Qalandars showed that despite fielding errors, their core strength in batting and pace bowling can carry them through. With one more knockout to go, they’re still in the hunt for the title.
