Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Kings Conquer Qalandars in Rain-Kissed Clash of Titans – PSL 2025, Match 24
Date: May 4th, 2025
Venue: The iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Verdict: Karachi Kings triumph by 4 wickets (via DLS)
Chapter: Match 24 of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2025
Under the electrifying atmosphere of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, a compelling chapter unfolded in the PSL 2025 narrative as the Karachi Kings locked horns with the home favorites, Lahore Qalandars. Mother Nature played a brief cameo, leading to a revised script, but ultimately, the Kings showcased their mettle, clinching a hard-fought 4-wicket victory courtesy of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. This result injects vital momentum into Karachi’s playoff pursuit, leaving the Qalandars facing a steeper climb in the tournament standings.
📅 Match 24: Kings Conquer Qalandars in Rain-Kissed Clash – May 4th, 2025
🏟 Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
✅ Result: Karachi Kings won by 4 wickets (via DLS)
Lahore Qalandars’ Fiery First Act
LQ scored 160/8 in 15 overs.
- Muhammad Naeem: 65 (29 balls) – 6 fours, 5 sixes
- Fakhar Zaman: 51 (33 balls) – 4 fours, 3 sixes
Karachi Kings’ Tactical Bowling
- Abbas Afridi: 4 wickets for 27 runs in 3 overs
Kings’ Calculated Chase
Chased revised target with 168/6 in 14.3 overs.
- Irfan Khan Niazi: 48* (21 balls) – 5 sixes
- David Warner: 24 (13 balls)
- Tim Seifert: 24 (10 balls)
LQ Bowling Effort
- Haris Rauf: 2 wickets
- Daryl Mitchell: 2 wickets
🌟 Man of the Match: Irfan Khan Niazi (Karachi Kings)
Key Takeaways
- LQ’s opening duo laid a strong foundation.
- Abbas Afridi’s spell changed the momentum.
- DLS added complexity to the chase.
- Irfan Khan’s innings sealed the win.
Points Table Impact
Karachi moves closer to playoffs, while Qalandars must win upcoming games to stay in contention.
Watch: Full Highlights of Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars’ Fiery First Act
Despite the looming clouds, the Lahore Qalandars’ batting lineup ignited early fireworks, posting a respectable 160 runs for 8 wickets in a curtailed 15-over innings.
| Batter | Score | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 51 | 33 | 4 | 3 | 154.55 |
| Muhammad Naeem | 65 | 29 | 6 | 5 | 224.14 |
| Abdullah Shafique | 18 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 163.64 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sam Billings (wk) | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Sikandar Raza | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Asif Ali | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Skipper Shaheen Afridi | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rishad Hossain | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Asif Afridi | 6* | 2 | 0 | 1 | 300.00 |
| Extras | 8 (1 bye, 7 wide deliveries) | ||||
| Total | 160/8 | 15.0 | 10.67 Runs Per Over | ||
Standout Performances for LQ’s Batting Brigade:
- The dynamic duo of Muhammad Naeem (blazing 65 off just 29 balls) and Fakhar Zaman (a composed 51 from 33 deliveries) laid a robust foundation for the Qalandars.
Karachi Kings’ Tactical Bowling Display
The Karachi Kings’ bowling unit showcased strategic prowess, effectively applying pressure and picking up crucial wickets to keep the Qalandars’ scoring in check.
| Bowler | Overs | Maiden | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mir Hamza | 3 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 6.67 |
| Hasan Ali | 3 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 14.00 |
| Abbas Afridi | 3 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 9.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 12.33 |
| Aamer Jamal | 3 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 11.00 |
Bowling Highlights for the Kings:
- The crafty Abbas Afridi emerged as the game-changer with a stellar spell, bagging 4 wickets for a mere 27 runs.
Kings’ Calculated Chase Under Pressure
Facing a revised target after the rain intervention, the Karachi Kings navigated the chase with a blend of aggression and composure, ultimately reaching 168 runs for 6 wickets in 14.3 overs.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 3 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 13.67 |
| Asif Afridi | 2 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 13.00 |
| Haris Rauf | 3 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 13.33 |
| Sikandar Raza | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10.50 |
| Rishad Hossain | 3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 1.3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 6.00 |
Key Contributions in the Kings’ Chase:
- Irfan Khan Niazi’s explosive unbeaten 48 off a mere 21 deliveries, peppered with five towering sixes, proved to be the decisive factor.
- Early momentum was provided by David Warner (24 off 13) and Tim Seifert (a rapid 24 from just 10 balls).
Qalandars’ Bowling Effort Under Duress
Despite their best efforts, the Lahore Qalandars’ bowling attack couldn’t quite contain the Kings’ determined pursuit under the pressure of the revised target.
| Bowler | Overs | Maiden | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 3 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 13.67 |
| Asif Afridi | 2 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 13.00 |
| Haris Rauf | 3 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 13.33 |
| Sikandar Raza | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10.50 |
| Rishad Hossain | 3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 1.3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 6.00 |
Notable Bowling Efforts for LQ:
- Haris Rauf managed to strike twice, picking up two crucial wickets.
- Daryl Mitchell also chipped in with a couple of scalps in his brief spell.
🌟 Man of the Match: The electrifying Irfan Khan Niazi (Karachi Kings) for his game-changing, unbeaten innings that steered his team to victory.
Key Takeaways:
- The Lahore Qalandars‘ batting showcased early promise but couldn’t sustain the momentum throughout their innings.
- Abbas Afridi’s exceptional bowling spell proved pivotal in restricting the Qalandars.
- The DLS method added an extra layer of complexity to the Kings’ chase.
- Irfan Khan Niazi’s fearless hitting under pressure was the defining moment of the match.
PSL 2025 Points Table Dynamics:
This triumph propels the Karachi Kings further up the PSL 2025 standings, significantly enhancing their playoff prospects. Conversely, the Lahore Qalandars will need to regroup and secure victories in their upcoming encounters to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.