Karachi Kings edge Lahore Qalandars in PSL 11

Zampa’s 2-11 outweighs Afridi’s 4-18 in low-scoring thriller

LAHORE:

Karachi Kings held their nerve to edge Lahore Qalandars in a tense, low-scoring encounter, chasing down 129 with four wickets in hand and three balls to spare in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

A disciplined bowling effort, led by player of the match Adam Zampa, laid the foundation for Karachi’s second consecutive win before a gritty batting display saw them home in a nervy finish.

Zampa returned impressive figures of 2-11 in four overs, including a maiden, while Mir Hamza and Moeen Ali claimed two wickets each to restrict Lahore to 128-9. The total proved competitive on a two-paced surface, with Lahore threatening to defend one of the lowest scores in PSL history.

In reply, Karachi endured a shaky start as Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early with the new ball, removing David Warner and Salman Ali Agha in the space of three deliveries in his third over. Ubaid Shah then bowled a maiden, leaving Kings struggling at 11-2 after four overs.

Muhammad Waseem anchored the innings with a composed 38 off 37 balls, sharing a 29-run stand with Saad Baig (19) and a crucial 43-run partnership with Moeen Ali (18) to steady the chase. However, Shaheen returned to dismiss both Waseem and Moeen in the 15th over, reducing Karachi to 88-5 and swinging momentum back in Lahore’s favour.

With 41 needed off the last five overs, the pressure mounted as Usama Mir and Mustafizur Rahman delivered tight spells, conceding just five runs each in successive overs. The required rate climbed above 10, leaving Karachi with a difficult task.

Khushdil Shah (13) and Azam Khan (14 not out) then revived the chase with a vital 32-run stand for the sixth wicket. Azam’s boundary off the final ball of the 18th over provided a crucial boost.

The decisive moment came before the final over when Lahore were penalised five runs for breaching playing conditions relating to the condition of the ball. With 14 required off six deliveries, the penalty reduced Karachi’s target to nine.

Khushdil fell on the first ball of the final over, caught brilliantly by Sikandar Raza at the boundary off Haris Rauf. But Muhammad Abbas Afridi sealed the victory in style, smashing a four and a six after a wide to take Karachi home with three balls remaining.

Earlier, Lahore struggled to build momentum after opting to bat. Fakhar Zaman was stumped off Moeen Ali in the opening over, while Mohammad Naeem fell to Mir Hamza in the fourth, leaving the hosts at 28-2.

Abdullah Shafique top-scored with 33 off 24 balls, adding 28 runs with Parvez Hussain Emon (12). After Abdullah’s dismissal to Zampa, Haseebullah (28) and Sikandar Raza (19) put together the highest partnership of the innings, a 43-run stand that lifted Lahore past 100.

However, a late collapse saw Lahore slump from 105-4 to 128-9, losing five wickets for 23 runs. Karachi’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Zampa, Moeen and Mir Hamza all striking.

Despite Shaheen’s outstanding figures of 4-11 and Lahore’s spirited effort, Karachi’s composure under pressure proved decisive in a gripping finish.

Fakhar faces ball-tampering charge

Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been charged with ball-tampering in Sunday's Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Karachi Kings, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

The incident ‌occurred in the final over with Karachi needing 14 runs to win. Fakhar, Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi and fast bowler Haris Rauf were involved in a brief discussion, during which Fakhar and Rauf passed the ball between them.

The umpire then approached Rauf ⁠and asked to see the ball. Following consultations with the square‑leg umpire, the officials awarded five penalty runs to Karachi and ordered the ball to be changed.

The penalty proved costly as Karachi went on to chase down a target of 129 with three balls to spare, Abbas Afridi hitting a four and a six to seal a four-wicket victory.

"Fakhar denied the charge levelled against him during a disciplinary ‌hearing ⁠led by the match referee Roshan Mahanama," the PCB said.

"Another hearing is set to take place within the next 48 hours after which the match referee will share his verdict."

Afridi said they would look at video footage ⁠of the incident.

“I don't know about this, and we'll see if it's there in the camera and discuss it,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Fakhar ⁠could face a ban of one or two matches if found guilty of ball tampering for a first offence in the PSL.

Australian ⁠trio David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were handed lengthy bans by Cricket Australia following a 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Player of the match – Adam Zampa (Karachi Kings)

Tuesday’s fixture:

Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 7pm PKT.