ISLAMABAD: Lahore Qalandars overcame archrivals Karachi Kings to win their first match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 by six wickets at Karachi’s National Stadium on Sunday.
The high-voltage match between the two PSL giants — favorites among fans due to wild competition between Pakistan’s cultural heart Lahore and the economic backbone Karachi — was watched by hundreds of spectators live.
Kings handed Qalandars an impressive 171-run target after batting first. Qalandars were fraught early on as opening batter Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam fell for 8 and 6 runs, respectively.
However, left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman saw his team through the difficult phase of the match, scoring a blistering 106 runs off 60 balls. During his innings, Zaman hit 12 fours and four sixes before he was dismissed by Umaid Asif.
Mohammad Hafeez and Samit Patel made valuable contributions by scoring 24 and 26 runs, respectively. Patel saw Qalandars to victory with a boundary.
Umaid Asif took two wickets for Qalandars, while Mohammad Nabi and Imad Wasim dismissed one each.
The recent defeat is a setback for Karachi Kings, who are yet to secure a win in the tournament. The side sits at the bottom of the points table and is the only one in the tournament without a win so far.
Earlier in the Karachi Kings innings, opening batters Sharjeel Khan and skipper Babar Azam gave their side a flying start, making good use of the powerplay to build a 50-run partnership.
Khan scored a quickfire 60 off 39 balls, hitting three sixes and eight fours before he was clean bowled by Mohammad Hafeez.
Babar never looked comfortable at the crease and was bowled once again by Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who had gotten the better of the Pakistani captain during the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 last year too.
Mohammad Nabi, Aamer Yamin, Lewis Gregory, Sahibzada Farhan and Imad Wasim all failed to score big as Lahore pacer Haris Rauf skittled Kings by taking three quick wickets. Rauf finished with figures of 3/33 from his four overs.
Fakhar Zaman ton powers Lahore Qalandars to victory over Karachi Kings
https://arab.news/pre7e
Fakhar Zaman ton powers Lahore Qalandars to victory over Karachi Kings
- Lahore defeated Karachi by six wickets in a high-voltage PSL clash
- Karachi sit at the bottom of the points table with no win so far
Pakistan, Bangladesh explore avenues for cooperation in railways sector
- Islamabad, Dhaka have lately been looking to strengthen institutional linkages to broaden cooperation amid thaw in ties
- Pakistan offers expertise in railway development, rolling stock and manufacturing to visiting Bangladeshi officials
KARACHI: Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials have discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the railways sector, including technical collaboration and capacity-building, the Pakistani railways ministry said on Saturday, as the two sides explore avenues to expand bilateral ties.
The statement came after a visit of Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organizations Farhad Islam and High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan to the Pakistan Railways Workshop Division in Lahore.
It comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to rebuild relations with Bangladesh since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, with both countries looking to strengthen institutional linkages to broaden their cooperation.
The visiting Bangladeshi officials were welcomed at the Pakistan Railways headquarters and briefed on the overall functioning, technical capabilities and projects, according to the Pakistani railways ministry.
“The delegation was subsequently given a detailed tour of the Mughalpura Locomotive Workshop, where they were briefed on various stages of locomotive maintenance, rehabilitation, and manufacturing processes,” the ministry said.
“The distinguished guests termed their visit as highly informative, productive, and encouraging, and appreciated the technical expertise and professional competence of Pakistan Railways.”
Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of the same country until Bangladesh’s secession following a bloody civil war in 1971, an event that long cast a shadow over bilateral ties.
Both countries have moved closer since August 2024, following the ouster of Hasina who was considered an India ally. While Pakistan-Bangladesh ties warm up, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi remain strained over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
A short documentary highlighting the working and operational strength of Pakistan Railways workshops was also presented to the Bangladeshi officials during their visit.
“Federal Minister for Railways, Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, remains fully committed to further strengthening bilateral relations with brotherly country Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of railway development, exchange of expertise, rolling stock, and cooperation in manufacturing sectors,” the railways ministry said.
“Minister has expressed his resolve to take forward railway-to-railway cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that mutual collaboration in the railway sector can yield substantial benefits for both nations.”
