Lahore Qalandars outcalss Karachi Kings in PSL 10 one sided encounter

Fakhar Zaman and Daryl Mitchell's half-centuries, followed by disciplined bowling, powered Lahore Qalandars to outclass Karachi Kings by a massive margin of 65 runs in the 6th match of PSL 10 at National Bank Stadium Karachi, reported 24News HD TV channel on Tuesday.    

 The high-voltage encounter, often dubbed as the "El Clásico" of the PSL, turned out to be one-sided as Lahore completely outclassed their arch-rivals in all departments of the game.

The victory also ends Qalandars' five-match losing streak against the Kings. 

The win, powered by a fiery spell from skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and a clinical bowling display, lifted the Qalandars to second place on the points table with four points from three matches.

Chasing a mammoth target of 202 runs, the Kings faltered under pressure and were bundled out for just 136 in 19.1 overs despite a valiant effort from Khushdil Shah.

The chase got off to a disastrous start as Qalandars’ captain Afridi ripped through the Kings' top order in the very first over, removing seasoned campaigners David Warner and James Vince for golden ducks.

With the scoreboard reading 0/2, Shan Masood and Tim Seifert attempted to stabilise the innings, both contributing 18 runs each.

However, their brief third-wicket partnership of 39 runs was quickly dismantled by the Qalandars' bowlers, leaving the Kings reeling at 45/4 in the eighth over.

The collapse continued as the Kings slumped to 50/7 by the 10th over, losing three more wickets in quick succession.

It was then that Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali mounted some resistance, forging a gritty 48-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

Hasan played a fighting knock of 27 off 25 balls, featuring two fours and as many sixes, before becoming Afridi's third victim.

Khushdil stood firm, top-scoring with a brisk 39 off 27 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and two sixes. However, his efforts were in vain as the rest of the batting lineup crumbled around him.

Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23, while Rishad Hossain also picked up three wickets. Sikandar Raza chipped in with two, and Haris Rauf and Asif Afridi claimed one wicket apiece.

After opting to bat first, the Qalandars scored 201 for six wickets in the 50 overs, thanks to Fakhar Zaman and Daryl Mitchell, who made 76 and 75 runs respectively.

Lahore Qalandars endured an early wobble, losing both openers within the first four overs. 

Mohammad Naeem was the first to depart, scoring just seven runs, before Abdullah Shafique followed shortly after for six, leaving the visitors struggling at 25 for two.

Fakhar Zaman and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell then mounted a strong recovery, putting on a 125-run partnership that stabilised the innings and shifted momentum in Lahore’s favour.

The duo counterattacked with confidence, dispatching Karachi’s bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Fakhar was eventually dismissed after a commanding knock of 75 runs off 47 balls, laced with six boundaries and five towering sixes.

His dismissal came at a crucial moment when the Qalandars looked poised for a late onslaught.

Mitchell continued the charge and was joined briefly by Sam Billings, who added a quick 19 off 10 deliveries.

The pair added 28 runs before Billings fell to Hasan Ali, who returned for a decisive second spell.

Mitchell’s impressive innings ended in the following over when he was dismissed by Abbas Afridi.

The Kiwi batter made 75 off just 41 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes to give Lahore a strong finish.

Despite the Qalandars losing momentum in the death overs, they managed to cross the 200-run mark, finishing on 201 for six in their allotted 20 overs.

Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers for Karachi Kings, delivering a stellar performance with figures of four for 28 in his four overs.

Squads

Lahore Qalandars Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi, Zaman Khan
 
Karachi Kings Playing XI: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Shan Masood, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Arafat Minhas, Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, Hassan Ali, Fawad Ali