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
Pakistan concludes 60-hour joint military exercise featuring 19 states, including Saudi Arabia, US
- Exercise also featured participation from Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar, says military’s media wing
- Says exercise is designed to enhance professional military skills through exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences
ISLAMABAD: A 60-hour-long joint military exercise organized by Pakistan’s army concluded this week at the eastern city of Kharian, featuring participation from 19 countries including Saudi Arabia and the US, the military’s media wing said.
The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition is a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise, which the Pakistani military says is designed to enhance professional military skills through the exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences and best practices among participating teams.
The exercise was held from Feb. 5-9 in the semi-mountainous terrains of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, providing participants a “realistic and challenging operational environment.” Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the closing ceremony of the exercise on Monday and presented awards to participants.
“Over the years, PATS has evolved into a prestigious and highly competitive military exercise, recognized for promoting professional excellence and mutual learning among participating nations,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
“The forum continues to strengthen military-to-military cooperation and understanding, while fostering camaraderie and team spirit in a demanding operational setting.”
This year’s exercise featured participants from 19 countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, USA and Uzbekistan, the ISPR said.
Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand attended the exercise as observers while 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy, along with observers from the Pakistan Air Force also participated in the event.
Munir appreciated participating teams for their “exceptional professionalism, physical and mental endurance, operational competence and high morale” displayed during the exercise, the military’s media wing said.
“He emphasized the importance of such multinational engagements in enhancing collective preparedness and adapting to the evolving character of modern warfare,” the ISPR added.
Pakistan routinely holds joint air, ground and sea exercises with regional countries and traditional allies to foster interoperability to counter threats to global peace.
