Iftikhar keeps Karachi afloat with win over Lahore

Iftikhar Ahmed's all round show gave Karachi Kings a win over Lahore Qalandars in PSL.

Dubai - Karachi are now in fifth position in the six-team points table

A fine all-round show by Iftikhar Ahmed (33 runs, 2-4) helped Karachi Kings register five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars to keep their play-offs hopes alive in the PSL on Thursday.
 
Iftikhar's two wickets restricted Lahore to 133-5. Liam Livingstone's 34-ball 38 with two sixes and three boundaries and Iftikhar's steady 25-ball knock with two sixes and as many boundaries ensured that Karachi crossed the target with five balls to sapre at the Dubai International Stadium.
 
Lahore's modest total was largely due to 32-ball 3 by AB de Villiers and a 22-ball cameo Sohail Akhtar (29, one 4, one 6).
 
The win not only lifted Karachi from the brink of elimination but put them on fifth in the six-team points table. They now have six points, three wins and four defeats in seven games. Lahore Qalandars are fourth (three wins and three losses in seven games but have a better net run-rate than Karachi).
 
Peshawar Zalmi are at the top of the table (eight points from six games, winning four and losing two with a net run-rate of 0.97). Islamabad United are second with four wins, three losses in seven matches but have a better net run-rate than Quetta Gladiators, who also have eight points from six games -- two defeats and four wins.
 
Multan Sultans are now placed at the bottom of the table, occupying sixth spot with two wins and five defeats in seven games.
 
Karachi skipper Imad Wasim praised Iftikhar for his bowling.
 
"He plays with me in the First-class, he bowled well to help us win," said Imad. "We bowled well and restricted them so it was good."
 
Lahore skipper Fakhar Zaman gave credit to Karachi bowling.
 
"Credit to Karachi's bowling as they contained us and then I think Livingstone changed the game with his hitting," said Fakhar.
 
Nepali spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (2-17 in four overs) had jolted Karachi in the run chase, dismissing Babar Azam (11) and Colin Munro (15) inside the first five overs.