Fakhr, bowlers help Qalandars script second PSL win

Sharjah: A disciplined bowling effort by Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers overshadowed brilliant batting by Kumar Sangakkara of Karachi Kings to help Qalandars beat Kings by 7 runs in the 8th match of Pakistan Super League in Sharjah on Thursday.

Karachi’s captain Kumar Sangakkara smashed one six and eight fours to score 65 off 45 deliveries and along with Shoaib Malik, added 101 runs for the third wicket partnership in 64 deliveries.

The former captain of Kings’ Shoaib Malik smashed two huge sixes to score 39 off 30 deliveries.

However, Lahore bowlers kept their nerves in control and restricted Karachi Kings’ to 172/8, orchestrating the second win for the team in the tournament.

For Lahore, Sunil Narine and Sohail Tanvir got two wickets apiece.  Lahore’s Muhammad Irfan, once again, bowled superbly and got two wickets, conceding 35 runs.

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars, riding on a brilliant half century by Fakhr Zaman, scored 179/8 in 20 overs after being invited by Karachi Kings to bat first on a batting friendly wicket.

Qalandars, despite losing Brendon McCullum (0 off two deliveries) early, went off to a good start as the batsmen kept the scorecard moving at a good pace.

Captain McCullum was bowled by Imad Wasim in the second over with only 12 runs on the board, but Jason Roy and Fakhr Zaman didn't allow Karachi Kings' bowling line to take advantage of early wicket to keep the momentum for Lahore Qalandars going.

Both Jason and Fakhr added 45 runs for the second wicket partnership which got broken with Jason's wicket off Sohail Khan's delivery after scoring 26 off 16.

Fakhar Zaman is Man of the Match for his hard hitting 56 runs #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa #LQvKK

Posted by Pakistan Super League on Thursday, February 16, 2017

After Jason's wicket, Fakhr was joined by Umar Akmal to continue the momentum and the duo added 47 runs for the third wicket.

Umar Akmal scored 25 off 16 balls, smashing one six and three boundaries while Fakhr Zaman smashed three sixes and five boundaries for his 36-ball-56.

Lahore couldn’t keep the momentum at usual pace in last five overs and scored only 39 runs off them. Fast bowler Muhammad Aamir conceded just four runs of last over taking two wickets and causing one run out in final six balls to stop Qalandars from posting a possibly mammoth total.

Muhammad Rizwan scored 29 off 22 deliveries, Grant Elliot scored 17 off 18 deliveries while Sunil Narine scored 13 off 6 deliveries.

This is Lahore’s second win in four games, while Karachi has lost all the three games it played so far in the tournament, so far.

For his brilliant knock, Fakhr Zaman was declared man of the match.