Blink and you will miss the action that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has to offer this year. We are already into the sixth game of the tournament, and this one promises to be as gripping as it gets. It’s Karachi vs Lahore, and it has all the right ingredients to make it the league’s most exciting rivalry.
Both teams have at least one win to their names, and Lahore have a defeat too, but their spectacular win against Quetta Gladiators keeps them above Karachi in the standings. It has been quite a while since Lahore had the upper hand; five of their recent encounters ended in Karachi’s favor. However, the last two were decided on the very last ball, so while Lahore don’t have much to show for in terms of head-to-head record, they’ve been remarkably competitive. They might be just in time to do one better.
Team Overview:
In both games for the Qalandars, their top order set the tone for the innings. Abdullah Shafique took on this responsibility mainly in the first game, while Fakhar Zaman stepped up in the second. The middle order has shown some volatility, displaying vulnerability even to a whiff of threat from the bowlers. Although it’s nearly impossible to fill the void left by someone as brilliant as Rashid Khan, Rishad Hossain appears to be on the right path. He took three wickets in his debut PSL game at an economy rate of 7.75 in a match that otherwise leaned towards the batters.
For the Karachi Kings, David Warner’s first PSL captaincy stint began on a promising note. The batting lineup impressed from top to bottom in their game against Multan Sultans. Tim Seifert provided the perfect quick-fire start, which was safely extended by James Vince’s century and capped off by a late-innings 60-run knock from Khushdil Shah. Their fast bowling finesse looks well-oiled, although they were not quite sharp in their opening game. However, going forward, it won’t be unwise to rely on a fast bowling attack with as much variation as theirs.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Lahore Qalandars have only ever won six games against Karachi Kings over the years, with one of them coming in a super over. The remaining 13 out of 19 matches were bested by Karachi Kings.
Weather and Pitch Report:
An aggregate of 470 was achieved in the last game Karachi played here, despite the presence of grass on the track early on. However, the bowlers were not entirely ruled out during the game. There was some lateral movement on offer, particularly with the new ball. The weather will be clear of rain, with temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius in the evening. However, due to high humidity, expect the pitch to become better for batting under the lights.
Prediction:
Karachi look extremely strong this season, and their history of wins over Lahore might just give them the boost they need to get another win.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan: A Sports, PTV Sports, Tapmad, Tamasha, Walee Technologies, Myco App, Begin
India: FanCode App, Sony Sports Network
Africa: Super Sports
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan: Sony Sports Network
North America: Willow TV
MENA: MYCO
Rest of the World: Sports Central
