Iftikhar keeps Karachi alive in HBL PSL with all-round show

DUBAI: A fine all-round show by Iftikhar Ahmed led Karachi Kings to a hard fought five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars to keep the former’s hopes of a place in the play-offs alive in the HBL PSL on Thursday night.Iftikhar picked two wickets for four runs off his two overs of tidy off-spin as Lahore were restricted to 133-5. Liam Livingstone’s 34-ball 38 with two sixes and three boundaries and Iftikhar’s steady 33 off 25 balls with two sixes and as many boundaries took Karachi to the target in 19.1 overs at the Dubai International Stadium.Lahore were lifted to 133-5 by some solid batting by AB de Villiers, who made a 32-ball 33 with two boundaries and a six. Sohail Akhtar smashed a six and a boundary in 22-ball 29.The win lifted Karachi from the brink of elimination, putting them on the fifth position in the six-team points table. They have six points after three wins and four defeats in seven games. Karachi skipper Imad Wasim praised Iftikhar for his bowling. “He plays with me in first-class cricket. He bowled well to help us win,” he said.Lahore skipper Fakhar Zaman gave credit to Karachi’s bowling. “Credit to Karachi’s bowling as they contained us and then I think Livingstone changed the game with his hitting,” he said. Nepali spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (2-17 in four overs) jolted Karachi in the run chase, dismissing Babar Azam (11) and Colin Munro (15) inside the first five overs.Livingstone and Colin Ingram (12) lifted Karachi with a third wicket stand of 50.But it became tighter when Karachi needed 34 off the last four overs. Iftikhar kept his nerves and was ably supported by skipper Imad, who made a 13-ball 19 with two boundaries.Lahore had a poor start as opener Gauhar Ali was dismissed off the third ball of the first over, bowled by Imad, having scored just four. Part-timer Iftikhar chipped in with two wickets, dismissing Fakhar Zaman for a 21-ball 18 which had three boundaries. He also dismissed Haris Sohail, who hit three boundaries in his 20.Corey Anderson hit two towering sixes, but was stumped off the bowling of left arm spinner Umer Khan. He scored 18-ball 22.

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