Abdullah Shafique’s fluent 65 and a fiery knock from Fakhar Zaman (47 off 28) powered Lahore Qalandars to a confident six-wicket win over Karachi Kings in Eliminator 1 of PSL X, chasing down 191 with eight balls to spare under the lights at a charged-up Gaddafi Stadium.
With this win, Qalandars stay alive and will meet Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday night. The winner will advance to face Quetta Gladiators in the final on 25 May. For Karachi, the journey ends after a spirited campaign — six wins, five losses, and plenty of memories.
Chasing a steep 191, Qalandars found early momentum through Fakhar and Mohammad Naeem, who added 42 for the first wicket. Fakhar was in his element, peppering the field with five fours and three sixes before falling for 47 in the ninth over.
Abdullah, calm and clinical, took charge. He stitched a 33-run stand with Fakhar and then a game-turning 83-run partnership with Kusal Perera (30 off 24) as Qalandars wrestled control of the chase. Abdullah’s 65 off 37 (3x4s, 5x6s) was a masterclass in timing and power — his eighth PSL fifty — before departing in the 16th over.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa applied the finishing touch with a 12-ball 23 not out, ending the match in style with a six as Lahore crossed the finish line at 191 for 4 in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Karachi Kings posted 190-8 after opting to bat first. David Warner was the standout with a typically explosive 75 off 52 balls, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes. The rest of the batting line-up faltered, with Khushdil Shah’s 14-ball 27 not out and Mohammad Nabi’s 18 helping the Kings reach a competitive total.
Lahore’s bowlers were incisive and disciplined, especially Haris Rauf, who returned figures of 3 for 35, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed 2 for 47.
Scores in Brief:
Match 32: Eliminator 1 – Lahore Qalandars beat Karachi Kings by 6 wickets at Gaddafi Stadium
Karachi Kings: 190-8 in 20 overs (David Warner 75, Khushdil Shah 27*; Haris Rauf 3-35, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-47)
Lahore Qalandars: 191-4 in 18.4 overs (Abdullah Shafique 65, Fakhar Zaman 47, Kusal Perera 30, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 23*; Hasan Ali 2-37)
Player of the Match: Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars)
Next Fixture:
Eliminator 2 – Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Friday, 23 May – 7:30 PM PKT
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