Karachi Kings chased down a stiff 161-run target in just 14.3 overs to secure a four-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in a rain-reduced 15-over match at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Irfan Khan led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 48 off 21 balls, laced with five sixes, to seal victory with three balls to spare. Mohammad Nabi chipped in with a vital 15 off 8, as Karachi overpowered their rivals in a high-scoring encounter.
Earlier, Lahore got off to a flying start after being asked to bat. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem added 90 for the opening stand in just 7.3 overs. Naeem smashed 65 off 29 deliveries, hitting five sixes and six fours at a strike rate of over 224, while Fakhar contributed 51 off 33.
But once the opening partnership was broken, Lahore lost momentum. Abbas Afridi triggered a collapse with a fiery spell, returning 4 for 27 in three overs. He removed key middle-order batters including Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, and Sikandar Raza, as Lahore managed only 70 runs in their final 7.2 overs to finish at 160 for 8.
Karachi responded aggressively. Captain David Warner hit a quick 24 off 13 balls before falling to Haris Rauf, while Tim Seifert added 24 off just 10. Saad Baig and James Vince kept the run rate ticking before Irfan took over in the death overs.
Mitchell impressed with the ball, picking 2 for 9 in 1.3 overs, but lacked support. Rauf claimed two wickets, but Shaheen Shah Afridi and Asif Ali proved ineffective.
The win lifts Karachi in the points table. Lahore, struggling with consistency, now face a must-win scenario in the remaining fixtures.
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