Fakhar Zaman in PSL (Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
The blockbuster clash of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) turned into a one-sided affair as Lahore Qalandars defeated Karachi Kings by 65 runs in Karachi on April 15, 2025. A dominating performance with both bat and ball saw the defending champions register a comfortable win, giving their net run-rate a major hike.
Lahore, after winning the toss, opted to bat first but were hurt early with Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Naeem falling inside the powerplay. From there on, Fakhar Zaman and Daryl Mitchell stitched together a brilliant 125-run stand for the third wicket as the duo punished Karachi’s bowlers all over the park. Fakhar, dropped early by James Vince, made the Kings pay dearly as he hammered 76 off 47 balls, while Mitchell scored 75 off 41.
The pair took Qalandars to 150/2 by the 15th over. Late cameos from Sam Billings (19 off 10) and Sikandar Raza (10* off 5) ensured Lahore crossed the 200-run mark, finishing at 201/6. Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers for the Kings, bagging four wickets, but found little support from the rest of the attack.
In reply, Karachi where surprised by a fiery opening burst from Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Lahore skipper struck twice in his first over, removing David Warner and Vince, both without adding a run to the tally. Tim Seifert and Shan Masood tried to stabilise the innings but fell in quick succession.
Rishad Hossain ran through the middle order with a three-wicket haul, including the wickets of Masood, Irfan Khan, and Abbas Afridi. Raza chipped in with two scalps, dismissing Arafat Minhas and Adam Milne while Haris Rauf got the dangerous looking Khushdil Shah out.
Karachi, who once chased down a similar total against Multan earlier in the season, looked clueless against Lahore’s bowling unit. Only Khushdil (39 off 27) and Hasan Ali (27 off 25) displayed some fight as the hosts were bowled out on 136 in 19.1 overs. Shaheen returned to wrap up the tail and ended with figures of 3/34, while Zaman was named Player of the Match for his crucial knock.
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