In a thrilling encounter at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, the 24th match of HBL PSL X saw Lahore Qalandars unleash a ferocious batting display against Karachi Kings before rain brought an abrupt pause to the action. The home side, powered by a sensational opening stand, had the crowd roaring and Karachi’s bowlers on the back foot.
Karachi Kings, led by David Warner, won the toss and chose to field, hoping to restrict Lahore on a lively pitch. However, their plans were swiftly dismantled by Lahore’s dynamic opener Mohammad Naeem. The right-hander tore into the bowling attack with fearless aggression, racing to a breathtaking 65 off just 29 balls. His knock was studded with six fours and five towering sixes, boasting an electrifying strike rate of 224.13. Naeem’s onslaught set the tone for Lahore’s dominance and had the home fans on their feet.
At the other end, Fakhar Zaman played a composed yet impactful role, remaining not out on 21 off 18 deliveries. His innings featured two crisp boundaries and a six, providing a perfect foil to Naeem’s fireworks. Together, the duo forged a formidable partnership that put Karachi under immense pressure.
Karachi’s only moment of respite came via Aamer Jamal, who struck to remove Naeem, with Irfan Khan pouching a sharp catch. However, the breakthrough did little to stem the tide, as Lahore reached an imposing 90 for 1 in just 7.5 overs, cruising at a run rate of 11.48. With the stage set for a colossal total, rain intervened, halting play in the eighth over and leaving the match delicately poised.
Team Lineups:
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Rishad Hossain, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Saad Baig, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza
As fans await updates on the weather, Lahore Qalandars will be eager to resume their aggressive approach, while Karachi Kings will hope for a reset to claw their way back into the contest. Stay tuned for further developments from this high-octane HBL PSL X showdown!
