Khushdil pulls off stunning chase to end Karachi Kings' losing streak
Karachi Kings chased down Lahore Qalandars' total of 199 with eight balls to spare
Karachi Kings chased down Lahore Qalandars' total of 199 with eight balls to spare
Commentator: Rashad Mahbub
Multan Sultans have officially qualified for the playoffs, joining Peshawar Zalmi as the second team to secure their spot. With two places now filled, only two positions remain open for the four teams still in contention. And that's a wrap for today's PSL action. Thank you for tuning in and staying with us through these last few hours of exciting cricket. Be sure to join us tomorrow for more coverage from around the world right here on ESPNcricinfo. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of the rest of the crew. Goodnight and goodbye.
Faisal: "Is MS Qualify for the playoffs?" Yes, Faisal.
Ahmed: "As a Lahore fan, I'm heart-broken (yet again) at the loss but as a Pak fan I am happy because the selectors should now open their eyes and pass the fast bowling baton to the young blood"
David Warner: "That was a great performance by the guys. Up front with the new ball, the first couple of overs were okay, but we know in the powerplay it can get away from you a little bit. That wicket all around was good with the new ball; I think both teams bowled very well with it. But all in all, what a fantastic finish. You know, Moeen coming in and then Khushdil; we've been speaking to him about how his time would come when he gets that opportunity. Today was that, and I'm so happy for him. [Playing your role with the bat] Yeah, look, and it only just happened by chance. I was a little bit frustrated; I kept on hitting fielders and then faced the last ball of the over, but that's the game of cricket. I've played a lot, but I just know that one guy is going to come in and play that sort of cameo. That's where last year we were going really well. Hopefully, we come out here next game and win that one to give ourselves a chance. [Khushdil scoring 23 runs in the 18th over] Yeah, to do that against a world-class bowler is phenomenal. It just shows you that in this game, if you put pressure back on the bowler, it doesn't matter who it is, they can succumb to that. That was serious execution at the end there."
Shaheen Shah Afridi: "[Target score] I think it was a very good total. We bowled really badly at the end, especially myself. I should bowl better for the team, but it's the game. [Qualification scenario] Look, they play before us, and we'll see how they're playing. After them, we are playing night games, so let's see how they go."
Player of the Match: Khushdil Shah
10:46 pm PSL double-header days are never boring, and they certainly didn't disappoint today. It wasn't the ideal start for the Kings, who were at 49/2 after the powerplay with both wickets taken by Ubaid. It could have easily been three down, but Haseebullah dropped a sitter off Salman, and they missed a golden run-out opportunity against Warner on that very same delivery. Salman eventually departed in the 9th over as the required run rate climbed toward 12 per over. Moeen then ignited the counter-attack, smashing several massive sixes while Warner played the anchor role at the other end. Moeen's entertaining cameo of 39 off 17 balls ended when he was deceived by an Ubaid slower ball. Azam was then handed two lives, first dropped by Sams on 0 and again by Shafique on 13, though he was bowled out in that same over regardless. The game hung in the balance at that stage, and while the Qalandars' fielding was horrendous across the board, Khushdil completely took over. He tore into Shaheen's 18th over, scoring 23 runs, contributing significantly to a blistering 57-run partnership off just 19 balls. Khushdil finished with a crucial 44 off 14 deliveries, while Warner remained unbeaten on 63 runs. Ultimately, poor execution in the death overs and a string of dropped catches cost the Qalandars the game.
Hamid: "Seeing Shaheen and Haris getting hammered are we seeing the change of guards with the likes of Ali Raza and Muhammad Basit taking over in not so distant future"
Mustafa: "Both premium fast bowlers are being hammered... Worrying sign for Pak team.. If they can't handle the heat in PSL imagine their fate in Worldcup"
Bilal: "Two Premium fast bowlers should defend 45 runs in last four. This is a time Board should consider some new blood in International Team. Like Raza, Sufiayan and Sameer, and Arafat. "
Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets
Shehryar Ahmed: "I don't even remember when khushdil last hit two sixes in one match. Shaheen and Rauf as always though....."
Ali : "What a perfectly timed knock by Khushdil--such clean hitting. He completely turned the game around in just one over."
Hamid: "Thats typical Shaheen. He just misses the radar when put under pressure. I mean with Khushdil standing so deep in the crease if there is one length you should avoid is a fuller length and that is exactly what he bowled "
Karachi Kings chased down Lahore Qalandars' total of 199 with eight balls to spare