KAR VS LAH ELIMINATOR 1

Alright then, that’s a wrap from this thrilling Eliminator 1! Lahore Qalandars march ahead, while Karachi Kings take their exit from PSL 2025. Next up, Lahore will clash with Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday, 23rd May. The action begins at 2.30 PM GMT, but don’t forget to tune in an hour early for all the pre-match buildup, team news, and toss. Until then, take care and stay hyped because the playoffs are just heating up! CIAO!

Abdullah Shafique is PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock.

Earlier in the first inning, Lahore Qalandars delivered a disciplined and impactful bowling performance, proving once again why they’ve grown stronger as the tournament has progressed. Despite Karachi’s aggressive start, Lahore quickly turned the tide with crucial breakthroughs, led by Shaheen Afridi’s comeback, and Haris Rauf’s fiery death-over burst that dismantled the lower order. While David Warner fought hard with a lone 75, the rest of Karachi’s batting faltered under Lahore’s pressure, failing to form any major partnerships. Though Karachi posted 190/8 on a batting-friendly pitch, it was Lahore’s smart, collective bowling that truly controlled the innings and set them up strongly in this knockout clash.

For Karachi Kings, this loss will sting. Their bowling lacked clear strategies against particular batters, especially in the middle overs. The lengths were off, the plans seemed unclear, and apart from Hasan Ali, who picked up two wickets and showed some fight, no other bowler looked threatening. The fielding effort added to their woes, with dropped catches and misfields deflating their momentum. Once the Abdullah-Kusal stand picked up pace, the body language of the entire team dropped. Heads went down, energy dipped, and Karachi slowly faded out of the contest. In high-stakes games like these, hope isn’t enough, as you need hustle.

But Abdullah Shafique and Kusal Perera had ice in their veins. They combined poise with power, stitched together a solid 83-run partnership, and absolutely dismantled the bowling plans of Karachi. Abdullah was measured at first, playing with precision, but once he got to his fifty, he turned ruthless, unleashing carnage with back-to-back sixes, showing why he’s rated so highly in pressure moments. In the end, Kusal calmly guided the chase but fell just on the brink of finishing things, but Bhanuka Rajapaksa stayed and took his team over the line with a six, and Lahore chased down the target with ease and confidence, with 5 balls to spare. Fielding still remains a slight concern for them, with a few fumbles and dropped chances in the first innings, but apart from that, it was a near-perfect performance.

Chasing 191 in a knockout is never easy. But the pitch at Gaddafi was good for batters, and Lahore’s openers got off to a quick start. They made full use of the Powerplay, finding gaps, clearing boundaries, and racking up 42 runs together. Though Muhammad Naeem fell early, the experienced Fakhar Zaman took charge with flair. He played a commanding knock of 47, peppered with monstrous sixes, but perished in an attempt to accelerate further, just three short of a well-deserved half-century. That wicket gave Karachi a glimmer of hope.

LAHORE QALANDARS HAVE STORMED INTO ELIMINATOR 2 WITH A DOMINANT 6-WICKET WIN OVER KARACHI KINGS! What a sensational performance this was from the Qalandars! A true exhibition of belief, balance, and brilliance under pressure. It was a complete team effort with both bat and ball, and they never looked like they were chasing a big total. Most importantly, Abdullah Shafique rose to the occasion like a true warrior, crafting a match-winning knock of 65 laced with five towering sixes. Karachi Kings, on the other hand, bow out of PSL 2025, not with disgrace, but with disappointment. Despite flashes of good cricket throughout the tournament, they lacked the right intent and temperament, especially from their batters in this crucial clash.

Six! Sent into the crowd! Out comes the hook shot and off goes the ball.

No run. Play and a miss! The batter wasn't quite sure how to play that one.

1 run, the batter goes deep in the crease and guides it through third man for a single.

OUT! That is a good running catch. Such catches are never easy to judge and take.

OUT! That is a good running catch. Such catches are never easy to judge and take.

1 run, this time the batter goes back and punches it from the crease for a run.

1 run, that is driven straight down the ground for a single.

2 runs, this is driven through the covers for a couple.

Four! Beautiful shot. The batter leans into this one and drives this through covers on the off side for a boundary.

2 runs, the batter plays the square cut. Fetches a couple of runs.