Lahore, May 22, 2025 – In a gripping showdown at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Qalandars outclassed Karachi Kings in the first Eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10, securing a thrilling six-wicket victory and moving one step closer to the coveted title.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Karachi looked determined to post a challenging total. David Warner led the charge with a superb innings of 75 runs off 52 balls, anchoring the innings with a mix of power and finesse. Khushdil Shah added crucial unbeaten runs down the order, finishing with 27*, while Irfan Khan Niazi chipped in with 18. Karachi Kings concluded their innings at 190 for 8 in the allotted 20 overs—a competitive target in a high-stakes encounter.
However, Lahore Qalandars responded with equal firepower. Star pacer Haris Rauf delivered a lethal spell, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs in his four overs, stalling Karachi’s momentum at key moments. Shaheen Shah Afridi also played a key role, picking up 2 wickets for 47 runs. Shakib Al Hasan bowled a tidy spell and removed a crucial batter, maintaining pressure throughout for Lahore Qalandars.
Chasing 191, Lahore began aggressively and kept the scoreboard ticking. Abdullah Shafique was the standout performer, smashing 65 runs off just 35 balls with some exquisite strokes. He was ably supported by Fakhar Zaman, who scored 47 off 28, and Kusal Perera, contributing a steady 30 off 24. The Qalandars chased down the target in just 18.4 overs, finishing at 191 for 4.
From Karachi’s bowling lineup, Hasan Ali showed some fight by taking 2 wickets for 37 runs. Fawad Ali and Mir Hamza also took a wicket each, but their efforts were not enough to stop the powerful Lahore Qalandars batting unit.
With this impressive win, Lahore Qalandars eliminated Karachi Kings from the tournament, ending their PSL 10 campaign. The clash between Lahore and Karachi once again lived up to the hype, showcasing the fierce rivalry and high-quality cricket fans have come to expect from this iconic matchup.
The victory marks yet another memorable chapter in the heated Lahore vs. Karachi rivalry, with the Qalandars now marching ahead in their quest for PSL glory.