It was a night of high-octane cricket at the Gaddafi Stadium as Pakistan’s premier T20 league delivered two back-to-back blockbusters. While the weather played spoilsport in the marquee clash between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, reducing it to a 13-over sprint, the earlier encounter saw Karachi Kings pull off a stunning chase against Rawalpindi, powered by a masterclass from Azam Khan.
Qalandars Defend Home Turf in 13-Over Shootout
In the 11th match of the season, rain forced officials to trim the game significantly. Batting first in the shortened 13-over format, Lahore Qalandars displayed incredible intent, posting a mammoth 185/5. Muhammad Naeem led the charge with a blistering 60, supported well by Parvez Hussain (45) and Abdullah Shafique (33). Despite Multan’s Mohammad Ismail picking up two wickets, the Qalandars’ middle order ensured a target that required an astronomical asking rate.
In response, Multan Sultans struggled to keep up with the required run rate despite a valiant effort from captain Ashton Turner, who remained unbeaten on 52. Shan Masood contributed 44, but the clinical bowling of Mustafizur Rahman (2 wickets) and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi kept the Sultans at bay. Multan finished at 165/5, handed a 20-run defeat in front of a roaring Lahore crowd.
Azam Khan’s Fireworks Ignite Karachi Kings’ Chase
Earlier in the day, Match 10 proved to be a high-scoring thriller where Karachi Kings emerged victorious against Rawalpindi by 5 wickets. After being invited to bat first, Rawalpindi posted a daunting 197/6 in their 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell (65) and Sam Billings (58) were the architects of the innings, while Karachi’s Hasan Ali stood out with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets.
The chase, however, belonged to one man: Azam Khan. The powerhouse batter turned the game on its head with a sensational 74 off just 34 balls, decorated with 6 fours and 6 towering sixes. His aggression allowed captain David Warner (who scored a steady 50) to anchor the other end. Karachi Kings reached the target with four balls to spare, with Azam Khan rightfully earning the Player of the Match award.
