PSL: Irfan Khan powers Karachi Kings to thrilling win over Qalandars

Dubai: Karachi Kings strengthened their playoff hopes with a thrilling final-over victory over Lahore Qalandars in a truncated Pakistan Super League match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts had the upper hand for most of the 15-over contest, which was affected by rain, but Karachi turned the tide dramatically in the closing stages. Chasing a revised target of 168, the Kings got off to a blistering start with openers David Warner and Tim Seifert scoring at a brisk pace. But Lahore clawed back before Irfan Khan launched a stunning counterattack with an unbeaten 48.

Irfan swung the momentum by smashing three sixes off Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in one over. Mohammad Nabi then added 20 crucial runs off Haris Rauf to bring the equation down to seven off the final over.

In a breathtaking finish, Karachi piled on the last 48 runs in just 16 balls to seal the win and climb to third on the PSL table with 10 points from eight matches.

Earlier, after a 90-minute rain delay, the Qalandars were put in to bat and made a strong start through openers Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem, who took the team to 90. Naeem was the aggressor, scoring 65 before rain forced another break.

However, Lahore lost momentum after the interruption and couldn’t finish strongly, ending on 160 for eight in their 15 overs. The revised DLS target was set at 168 for the Kings. Medium-pacer Abbas Afridi stood out with the ball for Karachi, finishing with figures of four for 27.