Karachi Kings pulled off a dramatic last-over victory against arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in a rain-affected PSL 2025 encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium. Chasing a revised target of 168 in 15 overs, Kings staged a stunning late comeback, with Irfan Khan’s explosive 48* off just 18 balls sealing a four-wicket win. The victory propelled Kings to second place in the standings, while Qalandars’ playoff hopes took another hit.
Kings’ Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride
The match, which stretched past midnight due to a rain delay, saw Karachi Kings fight against the odds for most of their innings. David Warner set the tone early, smashing 20 runs off Asif Afridi’s second over, while Tim Seifert took on Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, Qalandars struck back with tight bowling, and with the required rate climbing above 16, the chase seemed improbable.
By the 12th over, Kings had lost their top five, leaving Irfan Khan and Mohammad Nabi with a mountain to climb. But Irfan turned the game on its head, hammering three sixes off Shaheen in the 13th over. Nabi then joined the assault, plundering 20 runs from Haris Rauf’s over to bring the equation down to seven off the final six balls.
With medium-pacer Daryl Mitchell tasked with bowling the last over, Irfan kept his nerve, sealing the win with a towering six over long-off.
Qalandars’ Innings: A Promising Start Fizzles Out
Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted 160/8 after being put in to bat. Openers Mohammad Naeem (65 off 35) and Fakhar Zaman (51 off 32) dominated the powerplay, racing to 69 in six overs. Naeem’s wristy flicks and Fakhar’s aggression put Kings under pressure, but the game shifted when Aamer Jamal dismissed Naeem just before rain interrupted play.
Upon resumption, Fakhar kept the momentum going, but Abbas Afridi (4-27) and Mir Hamza triggered a collapse. Three wickets fell in seven balls, including Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, and Sam Billings. Abbas struck again to remove Sikandar Raza and Fakhar, derailing Qalandars’ innings. Despite a strong start, they managed only 44 in the last five overs—a shortfall that proved costly.
The Turning Point: Death Overs Decider
While Qalandars faltered in the death overs, Kings capitalized when it mattered most. Irfan’s fearless hitting under pressure showcased the fine margins of T20 cricket, where failing to finish strong can be decisive.
With this win, Karachi Kings strengthened their playoff chances, while Lahore Qalandars face an uphill battle to keep their campaign alive.
