Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman helped Lahore Qalandars beat Karachi Kings in the HBL Pakistan Super League Eliminator on Thursday, successfully chasing a target of 191 runs to advance to the second playoff stage.
The Qalandars successfully chased down the target in 18.4 overs, with crucial contributions from Abdullah Shafique and seasoned campaigner Fakhar Zaman. They will now face defending champions Islamabad United in the next playoff, aiming to secure their spot in the final.
Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem started well, putting on a 43-run partnership for the first wicket before Naeem fell to Hasan Ali after scoring 14 off 12 balls.
Naeem charges ON 🔥#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/ZNrF1QXrn0
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Fakhar continued his onslaught, scoring 47 off 28 balls, but soon Karachi’s captain introduced Swat-born young spinner Fawad Ali, who lived up to expectations by claiming Fakhar’s wicket with his very first delivery, leaving Qaalandars 75 for 2.
Fakhar only dealing in boundaries!#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/eXxPD38LJY
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
With Fakhar dismissed, Shafique took charge, dominating Karachi’s bowlers—particularly Abbas Afridi, who conceded 35 runs in three overs. Shafique played a brilliant knock of 65 off just 35 deliveries and shared a crucial 83-run partnership with Sri Lankan partner Kusal Perera.
Fawad Ali gets the prized wicket of Fakhar Zaman! 👏#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/c7QGfkUaq8
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Kusal also contributed a handy 30 off 23 balls, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa added a quick 23 off 12 deliveries to help Lahore cross the finish line.
Back-to-Back SMASHES from Abdullah ☄️#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/DRUQwlWH3e
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Earlier, Skipper David Warner hit a fighting half-century as Karachi Kings posted 190-8 in their 20 overs after electing to bat first.
Perera slashes it away. Inching closer to the target 👀#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/bF7P8KFSjy
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
The former Australian opener top-scored with a gritty 75 off 52 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, anchoring the innings after early blows.
Shaheen gets Seifert! #ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/tddyU9oaJS
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Kings lost wickets at regular intervals despite Warner’s presence, with only Khushdil Shah offering some late resistance with his 27 off 14 balls.
Shakib with the key wicket 🎯#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/yCLVzZFjec
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Tim Seifert smashed a quick 16 off 8 deliveries before falling to Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-47), while the middle order collapsed under pressure. James Vince managed just four runs off nine balls, and youngster Saad Baig departed for 11 as Karachi struggled to build meaningful partnerships.
DROPPED 😱#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/7PADlor5NE
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Warner was eventually dismissed in the 15th over by Naeem, leaving Karachi at 140-5. The Kings added 50 more runs in the final five overs, aided by 19 extras conceded by Lahore — including 12 wides and four no-balls — to reach a competitive total.
Niazi's sent it into the stands 🔥#ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/Aam3jnU4yH
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Haris Rauf spearheaded Lahore’s bowling attack with 3-35, dismissing Saad Baig, Mohammad Nabi (16), and Abbas Afridi (2) to derail Karachi’s momentum in the death overs.
𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀 𝐖𝐑𝐀𝐏 𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 22, 2025
Soft dismissal. Naeem gets the big man. #ApnaXHai l #HBLPSLX l #KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/fsheOqQgoH
Zaman Khan and Shakib Al Hasan picked up one wicket each, while Mohammad Naeem bowled a tight spell, finishing with 1-15 from his three overs.
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf.
Karachi Kings XI: David Warner (Captain), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza.
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