PSL: Shaheen Shah Afridi’s double-blow knocks out Karachi Kings

Dubai: Pakistan’s ace left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is known for breaking the back of batting line-ups. It’s still fresh in the memory when he demolished India’s top order to set up Pakistan’s 10-wicket win in the Twenty20 World Cup in Dubai four years ago.

In a similar opening burst, Shaheen dismissed David Warner and James Vince — the latter coming off an unbeaten century in Karachi Kings’ previous match — in the first over to set up Lahore Qalandars’ commanding 65-run win in their Pakistan Super League clash on Tuesday.

Billed as the El Clasico of the PSL, Qalandars skipper Shaheen elected to bat first, and the side posted a formidable total after a 125-run stand for the third wicket between Fakhar Zaman and New Zealander Daryl Mitchell. Useful contributions from Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza helped Lahore cross the 200-run mark. Pacer Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers for Karachi with four for 28.

The Kings were in early trouble after Warner fell for a second-ball duck, and Vince — who had lit up the tournament with a 42-ball century, the third-fastest in PSL history — was bowled for nought by Shaheen, who finished with figures of three for 34. Barring Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali, none of the batters could make a meaningful contribution as Karachi were bowled out for 136.

Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain finished with 3-26.

The victory lifts Lahore to second place on the table, behind defending champions Islamabad United, with four points from three matches. Karachi are in fourth with one win from two games.

Lahore Qalandars beat Karachi Kings by 65 runs. Lahore Qalandars 201 for 6 (Fakhar 76, Mitchell 75, Hasan 4-28) Karachi Kings 136 (Khushdil 39, Rishad Hossain 3-26, Shaheen 3-34).