PSL 2023: Karachi Kings defeat Lahore Qalandars by 86 runs

Karachi Kings inflicted an 86-run defeat on Lahore Qalandars during their last league stage match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 197 runs, Qalandars were restricted to 110 in 18.5 overs.

Qalandars were mostly on the backfoot during the run-chase as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

Hussain Talat was the highest scorer for Qalandars with run-a-ball 25.

Imad Wasim, Akif Javed, Mohammad Umar and Imran Tahir bagged two wickets each for the winning side.

Opting to bat first, Kings posted 196-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Opener Mohammad Akhlaq top-scored with 51 runs in 36 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.

Tayyab Tahir notched up 40 runs, meanwhile skipper Imad Wasim added 45 runs.

Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat claimed two wickets each for Lahore.

Since Lahore had already qualified for the playoffs, captain Shaheen Afridi was rested for today's match. In the pacer's absence, David Wiese led the defending champions.

Qalandars were playing for pride since they were knocked out of the race of the playoffs earlier in the tournament.

In the first match of the day, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by 13 runs in Rawalpindi to ensure that both teams will lock horns in the Eliminator 1 of the event.

The result also confirmed that defending champions Lahore Qalandars will face Multan Sultans in the Qualifier of the tournament.

Qualifier, the winner of which will qualify directly for the final, will be played on March 15, meanwhile the Eliminator 1 will be held on March 16.

The loser of the Qualifier and winner of Eliminator 1 will clash in the Eliminator 2 on March 17 for a spot in the final.  

Since the Qalandars have already qualified for the playoffs, captain Shaheen Afridi has been rested for today's match. In the pacer's absence, David Wiese leding the defending champions.

Playing XI 

Karachi Kings: Haider Ali, Mohammad Akhlaq (WK), Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (C), Ben Cutting, Muhammad Irfan Khan, James Fuller, Mohammad Umar, Imran Tahir, Akif Javed.

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings (WK), Hussain Talat, David Wiese (C), Shane Dadswell, Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Dilbar Hussain, Zaman Khan.