Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars, Final 2020

 

Photo: PCB

Lahore Qalandars surprised many by opting to bat first after winning the toss in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final. This decision went against the trend of chasing teams winning three out of the last four finals. Initially, Fakhar Zaman and Tamim Iqbal struggled to accelerate, leading to a slow 68-run opening partnership that took up half of their innings. However, Lahore's innings soon unraveled as they lost seven wickets for just 50 runs, reminiscent of their struggles in previous seasons when they finished at the bottom of the table.

Setting a target of 135, Lahore needed early breakthroughs to defend their total. Babar Azam, Karachi Kings' captain, anchored the chase brilliantly with a composed innings, scoring boundaries early to set the tone. Despite a brief flurry of wickets that raised Lahore's hopes, Azam's assured batting ensured Karachi reached the target comfortably. Lahore's bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi, couldn't make significant inroads as Karachi's batsmen held firm.

Karachi Kings' victory was a testament to their disciplined bowling unit, with Waqas Maqsood, Arshad Iqbal, and Umaid Asif starring by picking crucial wickets and maintaining pressure throughout Lahore's innings. The win marked Karachi's first-ever PSL title, adding to the league's diversity of champions after Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators.

For Lahore Qalandars, who had historically struggled in previous PSL seasons, their runner-up finish was a significant achievement, highlighting their improved performance throughout this campaign. Despite the loss in the final, Lahore's turnaround in fortunes was notable in PSL history.

Final Summary: Karachi Kings won the PSL for the first time by defeating Lahore Qalandars, who opted to bat first but collapsed after a slow start. Babar Azam's composed fifty anchored Karachi's chase of 135, securing a historic title for his team.