In Sunday’s eighth match of the current eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Karachi Kings won the first match of the season by a score of 67 runs over Lahore Qalandars.
The decision by Karachi Kings to start with Matthew Wade and James Vince, both international openers, paid off as the pair recorded the team’s highest Powerplay score of this season, 61 for none. Before their 71-run partnership came to an end due to a run out at the beginning of the eighth over, Wade failed in his attempt to take the second run, and Vince had set the perfect foundation for their team to post a towering total. The Australian batsman and wicketkeeper scored 36 runs off 24.
After that, Vince and Haider Ali shared an 18-ball 32-run partnership that stopped the visiting bowlers from making further progress. Haider, Shoaib Malik (10 off seven), and Vince (46 off 36) returned to the pavilion after a flurry of wickets reduced Karachi Kings to 124 for four from 102 for one.
The home team was in a good position despite losing Wade and Haider, but Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan scored to help their team turn things around.
While Zaman toppled Vince’s wickets, Rauf sent veteran batter Shoaib Malik (10) back to the pavilion, bringing Vince’s score to 124-4.
Captain Shaheen, Zaman, Haris, and Dawson each took a wicket for the Lahore Qalandars.
However, Lahore Qalandars were unable to make the most of this turnaround, and Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim once more showed the explosive side of his batsmanship with a magnificent 35 not out off 19 balls that included two sixes and as many fours. Ben Cutting, who scored 20 off 19, provided him with adequate support, adding 52 off 35 runs to bring the home team’s total to 185 for five.
Fakhar Zaman and Mirza Tahir Baig made a strong start to the run chase for Lahore Qalandars, reaching 40 between them and being bowled by Aamer Yamin.
After that, Tahir and Kamran Ghulam made a 41-run partnership (23 off 22), but they were unable to keep up with the scoring rate. In the 13th over, Akif Javed sent both batters back to the pavilion one after the other. When Kamran, the second batter, was caught, Lahore Qalandars needed 99 off 44.
That proved to be the game’s turning point, and no Lahore Qalandars batter could put up a fight after that. Akif had four for 28 at the end. Cutting and Aamer each took two wickets.