Shaheen Afridi’s brilliance goes in vain on a tricky pitch as Muhammad Waseem and Abbas Afridi guide Karachi Kings to a dramatic win

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Karachi Kings edged past Lahore Qalandars in a nail-biting low-scoring contest, sealing victory in the final over after a crucial penalty shifted momentum in their favour. Chasing 129 on a difficult two-paced surface, the Kings held their nerve as Abbas Afridi smashed Haris Rauf for a boundary and a six off consecutive deliveries to finish the game in style.

The turning point came at the start of the final over when the equation of 14 off 6 was reduced to 9 off 6. The on-field umpires penalised Qalandars for altering the condition of the ball, allowing Karachi Kings to choose a replacement ball — a decision that proved decisive in the outcome.

Earlier, the chase was far from straightforward. The pitch, hosting its fourth consecutive match, offered inconsistent bounce and variable pace, making strokeplay difficult. Shaheen Afridi led Qalandars’ bowling attack brilliantly, returning exceptional figures of 4-0-18-4. He struck early blows, dismissing David Warner and Salman Agha in quick succession, putting Kings under pressure at 18 for 2 inside five overs.

Despite the early setbacks, Saad Baig injected some momentum with boundaries off Haris Rauf in the powerplay. However, regular wickets and tight bowling kept the chase in check, with just 19 runs coming in a crucial middle phase.

Muhammad Waseem played a pivotal role in reviving the innings, attacking Rauf in the 13th over with a four and a six to push the scoring rate. Alongside Moeen Ali, he stitched together a vital 43-run partnership that brought Karachi back into contention. Moeen’s aggressive strokeplay further reduced the required run rate.

Shaheen Afridi returned to break the partnership, removing both Waseem and Moeen in the 15th over, swinging momentum back towards Qalandars. However, Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan steadied the innings with a crucial 32-run stand, taking the game deep before Abbas Afridi finished it off.

Earlier in the match, Lahore Qalandars posted a competitive total after a promising start. Abdullah Shafique’s 33 anchored the innings despite early wickets. Partnerships in the middle overs, including a 43-run stand between Sikandar Raza and Haseebullah Khan, kept Qalandars on track.

However, a late collapse saw them lose five wickets for just 20 runs, preventing them from posting a bigger total. That proved costly in the end, as Karachi Kings capitalised on the opportunity — with a little help from a game-changing penalty — to secure a thrilling victory.