PSL 2025: Lahore Qalandars Dominate Karachi Kings with 65-Run Victory
In the sixth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season, Lahore Qalandars outclassed Karachi Kings with a commanding 65-run win at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
After winning the toss, Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi chose to bat first. Despite a cautious start, the Qalandars quickly shifted gears and posted a strong total of 201 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs.
Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a powerful innings of 76 runs, while Daryl Mitchell added 75 runs with an equally aggressive knock. Other contributions came from Sam Billings (19), Sikandar Raza (10), Mohammad Naeem (7), Abdullah Shafique (6), and Rashad Hussain (2).
Karachi’s standout bowler was Hasan Ali, who picked up 4 wickets and applied pressure during the middle overs. Abbas Afridi chipped in with a wicket as well.
Chasing a target of 202, Karachi Kings collapsed under pressure and were bowled out for just 136 runs in 18.4 overs. Their innings started in disaster as Shaheen Afridi removed both openers — captain David Warner and last match’s star James Vince — for ducks in the very first over.
From there, the Kings never really recovered. Their batting lineup failed to build any partnerships, and Lahore’s bowlers maintained tight control throughout the innings.
Khushdil Shah top-scored for Karachi with 39 runs, while Hasan Ali contributed 27, but no other batter crossed the 20-run mark.
For Lahore, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rashad Hussain both claimed three wickets each, while Sikandar Raza, Haris Rauf, and Asif Afridi picked up one wicket apiece.
With this dominant win, Lahore Qalandars bounced back strongly in the tournament, showing both batting depth and bowling firepower. Their aggressive approach, especially in the powerplay with the ball, left Karachi Kings stunned and struggling from the very beginning.
Playing XIs:
Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Rashad Hussain, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi, Zaman Khan.
Karachi Kings: David Warner (capt), Tim Seifert, James Vince, Shan Masood, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Arafat Minhas, Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, Hasan Ali, Fawad Ali.
Lahore’s performance in this match is already being talked about as one of the sharpest all-round displays of the season so far.
