The tenth match of PSL 9 witnessed a heart-stopping finish at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, as Karachi Kings snatched victory from the jaws of Lahore Qalandars by a mere two wickets. Chasing a challenging target of 176 runs, the Kings displayed nerves of steel, securing the win with a single off the very last ball of the final over.
Opting to bat first, Qalandars faced early setbacks, losing their star batsman Fakhar Zaman cheaply to Mir Hamza. However, a solid partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Rassie van der Dussen (26) steadied the innings. While wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, Farhan anchored the innings with a composed knock of 72 runs off just 45 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes.
In the latter stages, George Linde provided a late flourish with a quickfire 26 off 13 balls, including three boundaries, propelling the Qalandars to a fighting total of 175 runs. For the Kings, Mir Hamza, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Hasan Ali shared bowling honors, each claiming two wickets.
Karachi Kings’ chase began on a shaky note, losing their openers Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan cheaply. The woes continued as they lost two more wickets within the powerplay, leaving them in a precarious position at 49/4.
Just when all hope seemed lost, the experienced duo of Kieron Pollard and Shoaib Malik stepped up to the challenge. They stitched together a crucial 95-run partnership, reviving the Kings’ hopes. Pollard, in his usual aggressive style, smashed a quickfire 58 off just 33 balls, laced with five sixes and a four, injecting much-needed momentum into the chase.
Drama Unfolds in the Final Over:
With 34 runs required off the last three overs, the tension escalated. Shoaib Malik’s dismissal in the 18th over put the Kings under further pressure. Hasan Ali, known for his big-hitting abilities, tried to keep the chase alive with a six off the first ball of the final over, reducing the equation to 11 runs from five deliveries.
However, wickets continued to fall at the other end, leaving Irfan Khan Niazi and Mir Hamza with the daunting task of scoring six runs off the last two balls. Haris Rauf, bowling the final over, dismissed Niazi with a sensational catch, leaving the Kings needing one run off the final delivery.
With nerves jangling and the entire stadium holding its breath, Mir Hamza displayed remarkable composure. He nudged the last ball from Rauf towards the fine leg boundary, the fielder’s desperate attempt to stop the ball proving futile. The Kings erupted in jubilation, celebrating a thrilling victory against all odds.
Kieron Pollard’s power-hitting knock and Mir Hamza’s all-round performance, contributing with both bat and ball, were instrumental in the Kings’ triumph. For the Qalandars, Sahibzada Farhan’s anchoring knock and George Linde’s late cameo with the bat deserve appreciation.
This nail-biting encounter showcased the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery. The thrilling finish serves as a reminder that in this format of the game, every ball counts, and even the most challenging situations can be overcome with determination and a touch of luck.
