Daily Times

DUBAI: In one of the most thrilling and finest match of the Pakistan Super League III, Lahore Qalandars outplayed Karachi Kings in a Super Over at Dubai International Stadium here on Sunday night. Karachi thus missed the chance to become the first team to qualify for the playoffs after losing the one-over eliminator by three runs. After Lahore had made 11 in the Super Over, Karachi were halted in their tracks by Sunil Narine, who unleashed his full complement of tricks. Conceding only two runs off the first five balls, which included the wicket of Colin Ingram, Narine all but ensured Karachi didn’t provide one last twist in an encounter that wouldn’t pause for a moment of calm.

Earlier chasing 164, Lahore were cruising at one stage. Agha Salman (50 off 45 balls) played a mature hand with Fakhar Zaman (28) and Anton Devcich (24) rallying around him. But another mini collapse left them with 16 needed in the final over. It seemed like Lahore would register a victory when Sohail Akhtar smashed a six and a four on the second and third delivery of the over. However, Usman Khan Shinwari made a comeback to take the match to the final delivery, where Brendon McCullum’s men needed three to win the match. The left-armer bowled a full delivery and Akhtar hit it straight to Ravi Bopara, who took it with both hands, but later it was revealed that the pacer overstepped the line, meaning Lahore needed two on the final delivery of the day. But Lahore only managed to get one as Akhtar was run out in an effort to get the second run.

After being put into bat first, Karachi posted 163 for the loss of five wickets, courtesy half centuries from Babar Azam (61 off 49) and Lendl Simmons (55 off 39). Despite losing opener Joe Denly early on, Karachi prospered from a 72-run stand between Babar and Simmons. For Lahore, pacer Sohail Khan was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three wickets. A win for Karachi could have seen them dislodge table-toppers Quetta Gladiators. Instead, they remain on third position with nine points. Lahore, meanwhile, are officially out of the tournament, but have managed to salvage some pride with their second successive win in as many days.

Brief scores: Karachi Kings 163-5 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 61, LMP Simmons 55; Sohail Khan 3-34) VS Lahore Qalandars 163-8 in 20 overs (Agha Salman 50, Fakhar Zaman 28, AP Devcich 24; Mohammad Irfan Jr 2-35, Usman Khan Shinwari 2-37).

Today’s match (Tuesday March 13)

25th match: Multan Sultans v Islamabad United at Sharjah Cricket Stadium at 09:00 PST

Published in Daily Times, March 13^th 2018.