ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings clinched their fourth victory in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a thrilling three-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Saturday night, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
After winning the toss, Kings opted to field, setting the stage for an intense battle. Lahore, batting first, posted a competitive score of 177-5, with significant contributions from their top order.
Mirza Tahir Baig was the first to depart, falling to Anwar Ali in the third over. Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman then steadied the innings with a 70-run partnership.
Fakhar’s knock ended at 54 runs when Muhammad Irfan Khan’s direct hit caught him short of his crease. Abdullah Shafique and Shai Hope maintained the scoring pace until Zahid Mahmood’s double-wicket over shifted the momentum, dismissing Hope for 9 and Shaheen Shah Afridi for 1.
Abdullah reached his half-century before being caught by Anwar off Muzarabani’s bowling for 55. The lower-order contributions, particularly from David Wiese (24 not out) and Sikandar Raza (22 not out), propelled Lahore to their final total.
Karachi’s response was robust, with openers Tim Seifert and James Vince amassing 58 in the powerplay.
Vince’s aggressive 42 off 27 balls laid a solid foundation before being dismissed by Tayyab Abbas. Shan Masood and Kieron Pollard tried to build on the start, but Lahore’s bowlers, led by Sikandar Raza and Tayyab Abbas, kept the pressure on, picking up crucial middle-order wickets.
The chase intensified in the closing overs, with Karachi needing 65 off 34 balls.
Seifert’s run-out added to the tension, but Irfan Khan and Shoaib Malik’s partnership brought Karachi closer to the target.
Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman struck late, but Shoaib Malik’s boundary off the final ball sealed a memorable win for Karachi.
Lahore’s bowlers, especially Tayyab Abbas, who took two wickets, and the others who contributed, kept the match competitive till the end. However, it was Karachi’s determined chase that ultimately led to their thrilling victory.
Karachi Kings nail last-ball win over Lahore Qalandars, keep playoff hopes alive
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Karachi Kings nail last-ball win over Lahore Qalandars, keep playoff hopes alive
- Batting first, Lahore posted a competitive score of 177-5, with major contributions from Shafique and Zaman
- Karachi’s response was robust, with openers Tim Seifert and James Vince amassing 58 runs in the powerplay
UN torture expert decries Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s detention
- Khan’s party alleges government is holding him in solitary confinement, barring prison visits
- Pakistan’s government rejects allegations former premier is being denied basic rights in prison
GENEVA: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in conditions that could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture warned Friday.
Alice Jill Edwards urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of the 73-year-old’s inhumane and undignified detention conditions.
“I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards,” Edwards said in a statement.
“Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” she said.
“His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.”
Khan an all-rounder who captained Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, upended Pakistani politics by becoming the prime minister in 2018.
Edwards said prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law and constitutes a form of psychological torture when it lasts longer than 15 days.
“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.
UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not, therefore, speak for the United Nations itself.
Initially a strong backer of the country’s powerful military leadership, Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, and has since been jailed on a slew of corruption charges that he denies.
He has accused the military of orchestrating his downfall and pursuing his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its allies.
Khan’s supporters say he is being denied prison visits from lawyers and family after a fiery social media post this month accusing army leader Field Marshal Asim Munir of persecuting him.
According to information Edwards has received, visits from Khan’s lawyers and relatives are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely, while he is held in a small cell lacking natural light and adequate ventilation.
“Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity,” the UN expert said.
“Detention conditions must reflect the individual’s age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation.”
Edwards has raised Khan’s situation with the Pakistani government.
