Lahore Qalandars recorded a nail-biting 7 run win over the Karachi Kings’ to earn two valuable points in a Sharjah humdinger that enthralled a packed stadium on a pleasant Thursday night.
Qalandars set a target of 180 on a batting friendly pitch came within a whisker of overhauling the target courtesy a 101-run third wicket partnership between captain Kumar Sangakkara (65) and Shoaib Malik (39) but lost their way in the dying stages of the game as Qalandars bowlers held their nerves amid the onslaught by the Kings batsmen.
Sohail Tanvir dismissed Sangakkara in the 15th over before Malik fell to Bilawal Bhatti in the next over to derail the seemingly on track Kings chase.
Sohail Khan and Mohammad Amir hit a six apiece but failed to capitalize on their breezy starts as the asking rate mounted with every passing delivery.
Kings needed 18 runs off the last six balls but could manage only 10 against the gangly right-armer Mohammad Irfan.
Qalandars were asked to bat first after Kings captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss, the Qalandars outfit were led to their imposing total by a scintillating 36 ball 56 by left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman who hit three sixes and five fours after arriving at the batting crease in the second over of the match when Qalandars lost their captain Brendon McCullum for a duck.
Zaman added 45 with opener Jason Roy who scored 26 off only 16 balls before he was flummoxed by a slower one from pacer Sohail Khan.
Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Umar Akmal (25) played useful hands as the Qalandars made most of the fireworks provided by the talented Zaman who has been one of the most prolific run getters in Pakistan’s recent domestic history.
Qalandars looked set for a 200 run score after crossing the 100 mark in the 11th over but a spate of wickets and tight bowling by the Kings’ restricted them to 179, Mohammad Amir, Sohail and Usama Mir took two wickets each.
Zaman was named man-of-the-match.
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