Karachi Kings end miserable PSL season on a high with thrashing of Lahore Qalandars

Akif Javed starred with the ball, claiming 2 for 8 from three overs, as four Kings bowlers all took two wickets. The win is Karachi's third in four matches against Lahore across PSL7 and PSL8

Lahore: Karachi Kings 196-7, Lahore Qalandars 110 - Karachi Kings won by 86 runs

Karachi Kings ended another disappointing PSL season with a consolation victory over table-topping Lahore Qalandars.

Karachi maintained their fine recent form against the defending champions with an 86-run success in Lahore, as the Qalandars' top order collapsed in pursuit of a sizeable target.

Akif Javed starred with the ball, claiming 2 for 8 from three overs, as four Kings bowlers all took two wickets. The win is Karachi's third in four matches against Lahore across PSL7 and PSL8. 

Mohammad Akhlaq celebrates a half-century against Lahore Qalandars [Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images]

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim is bowled during victory over Lahore Qalandars in PSL8 [Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images]

They have only managed one victory against the rest of the teams in the league, over 16 games, in that time. 

The stage for this success was set by Mohammed Akhlaq, who clobbered 51 in 36 balls with two sixes, opening the batting.

Iklaq joined Tayyab Tahir (40) in a second-wicket partnership worth 70 in 6.2 overs following the early loss of Haider Ali, as the Kings dominated the powerplay.

There was little letup for the Qalandars attack. Haris Rauf went for 52 in his four overs and seven bowlers were used in an effort to stem the tide.

But the waves only got worse, as the in-form Imad Wasim smacked a 31-ball 45 and Ben Cutting managed 33 from 14 deliveries to take Karachi to 196 for 7.

Karachi Kings celebrate a wicket against Lahore Qalandars [Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images]

Kamran Ghulam is bowled during Lahore Qalandars' defeat by Karachi Kings in PSL8 [Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images]

It was a considerable total but, given the trend of high scoring in the PSL over recent days, not insurmountable.

Lahore never found their rhythm with the bat, however. Only one batsman - Hussain Talat - passed 18 as Karachi struck regularly. Talat's 25 was, in the circumstances, relatively painful as it came from 25 balls.

Karachi finish the season in fifth, jumping above Quetta Gladiators as a result of this win. 

Lahore were already guaranteed top spot going into the fixture, and will now prepare for the knockout stages of the tournament. 

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