Karachi Kings pulled off a dramatic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in Match 24 of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, reigniting their playoff push with a gutsy chase under pressure.
Set a revised 168-run target in just 15 overs, Karachi’s nerves held firm thanks to a sensational late burst from Irfan Khan, whose unbeaten 48 off 21 balls – featuring two fours and five towering sixes – snatched victory with just three balls to spare.
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted 160/8 in their 20 overs, powered by fireworks from openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman. Naeem blazed a 29-ball 65 with six boundaries and five sixes, while Zaman added 51 from 33 balls, cracking four fours and three sixes.
But Abbas Afridi turned the tide for Karachi with the ball, scalping four for 27 in just three overs. Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, and Aamir Jamal each chipped in with a wicket to keep Lahore in check after the flying start.
In reply, Karachi's chase was anchored by brisk cameos from openers David Warner and Tim Seifert (24 each), Saad Baig (25), and Mohammad Nabi (15), before Irfan Khan took charge in the death overs to seal a nail-biting win.
The victory propelled Karachi Kings to third on the points table with 10 points from 8 matches – equal with Islamabad United but trailing on net run rate. Lahore Qalandars slipped to fourth, despite a higher NRR, with nine points from nine games.
PSL 10 Points Table (After Match 24)
| Team | M | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 0.906 |
| Islamabad United | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0.650 |
| Karachi Kings | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0.433 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0.958 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -0.507 |
| Multan Sultans | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | -2.597 |
With this win, Karachi not only reclaimed bragging rights over their historic rivals but also took a major stride toward the playoffs in what’s shaping up to be a fiery final leg of PSL 10.
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