Defending a modest 128 for 9, Lahore came within touching distance of pulling off a remarkable win before five penalty runs and a late finishing blow tilted the match in Karachi’s favour, as the Kings reached 131 for 6 in 19.3 overs.
After choosing to bat first, Lahore never truly gained control of the innings. Abdullah Shafique top-scored with 33 off 24, while Haseebullah Khan made 28 off 30 and Sikandar Raza added 19.
Bangladesh batter Parvez Hossain Emon got another start but failed to convert it, scoring 12 off 12 before being trapped lbw by Salman Agha.
Karachi’s bowlers kept Lahore under pressure throughout, with Adam Zampa starring with 2 for 11, while Mir Hamza and Moeen Ali also picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Karachi looked shaky early as Shaheen Afridi ripped through the top order, removing David Warner, Salman Agha, Muhammad Waseem and Moeen Ali to finish with outstanding figures of 4 for 18.
Mustafizur once again played a key supporting role with a disciplined spell of 1 for 20 in 4 overs, maintaining pressure in the middle phase.
The Bangladesh left-armer struck an important blow in the eighth over, dismissing Saad Baig with a trademark skiddy delivery just outside off stump. Saad attempted to glide it fine, but only managed a faint edge through to the wicketkeeper, leaving Karachi reeling at 39 for 3.
His spell helped keep Lahore firmly in the contest, especially on a night where every run mattered.
The turning point, however, came late in the chase when the umpires awarded Karachi Kings five penalty runs after ruling that Lahore had changed the condition of the ball.
That decision significantly reduced the pressure on Karachi in the closing stages and added to Lahore’s frustration.
The Qalandars were also behind on the over-rate, meaning they had to keep an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle at a crucial point of the innings.
Those setbacks proved costly, with Azam Khan and Abbas Afridi holding their nerve to see Karachi home with three balls to spare.
