Irfan Khan’s late blitz powers Karachi Kings to thrilling win over Qalandars

Karachi Kings avenged their home-leg loss by defeating Lahore Qalandars by four wickets, thanks to Irfan Khan Niazi’s late hitting in a crucial HBL PSL X clash at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Sunday night.

Chasing a revised target of 168 in 15 overs in the rain-shortened match, the Kings needed 48 runs from the final three overs.

Shaheen Afridi gave away 21 runs in the 13th over, including three huge sixes by Irfan. In the penultimate over, Haris Rauf conceded 20 runs — including a six and a four from Mohammad Nabi, and another six earlier in the over from Irfan.

The Kings required seven runs from the final over, bowled by Daryl Mitchell. The New Zealander dismissed Nabi on the first ball, who had scored a quick 15 off eight balls. Hasan Ali took a single off the next delivery, giving Irfan the strike. Irfan then smashed a six off the third ball to seal a dramatic win with three balls to spare.

Irfan remained unbeaten on 48 off 21 balls, hitting five sixes and two fours.

Haris Rauf (2-40) and Daryl Mitchell (2-9) were the most successful Qalandars bowlers.

With their fifth win, the Kings moved to third on the table with ten points.

Karachi began strongly, with captain David Warner in aggressive form. He struck Asif Afridi for two sixes and two fours in the second over, which yielded 20 runs. However, Haris Rauf dismissed him in the fourth over when Warner chopped one onto his stumps while attempting a cut. He made 24 off 13 balls, including two sixes and two fours.

Tim Seifert (24) followed soon after, caught by Mitchell off Asif Afridi while trying to go big. He struck one six and four fours in his 10-ball knock, leaving Kings at 57-2 in the fifth over.

Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain then removed James Vince (13), and Mitchell trapped young Saad Baig lbw for a lively 25 off 15 balls (three fours and one six), leaving the Kings at 100-4 in the tenth over. The required run rate had by then climbed to nearly 14.

Qalandars struck again when Haris Rauf dismissed Khushdil Shah (9), reducing Kings to 116-5 in the 12th over. But Irfan Khan Niazi’s powerful knock guided his team home.

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars posted 160-8 in their 15 overs after the match was reduced due to rain. Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman hit brisk half-centuries after captain David Warner put them in to bat.

Naeem (65) and Fakhar (51) shared a 90-run opening stand. Naeem, dropped on 11 by Aamer Jamal off Hasan Ali, made the most of his chance with a blistering knock. He reached his fifty in just 22 balls and hit six fours and five sixes before being caught in the deep off Aamer Jamal.

Naeem took Hasan Ali for two sixes and two fours in one over, which cost 22 runs and was the most expensive of the innings.

Rain halted play at 7.5 overs with Lahore on 90-1. After a 78-minute delay, the game was shortened to 15 overs per side.

Fakhar, who was on 21 at the break, went on to complete his third fifty of the season off 32 balls. He struck three sixes and four fours, including one massive hit off Abbas Afridi that sailed into the crowd.

Abdullah Shafique chipped in with an 11-ball 18, hitting a six and two fours. Lahore scored 69 without loss in the powerplay.

Abbas Afridi starred with the ball, taking 4-27 in three overs. Mir Hamza (1-20), Hasan Ali (1-42), and Aamer Jamal (1-33) also claimed a wicket each.

The loss left Qalandars in fourth place with nine points from nine matches.