Karachi Kings delighted more than 25,000 supporters with a thumping 10-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars on Thursday in the last Pakistan Super League match in Karachi to be played in front of fans.
The Pakistan Cricket Board decided that the remaining games at the National Stadium will be played without spectators because of the coronavirus outbreak. That includes Karachi's last two league matches on Saturday and Sunday. Peshawar Zalmi also play their last league game on Friday against Multan Sultans at the National Stadium.
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Karachi Kings delighted more than 25,000 supporters with a thumping 10-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars on Thursday in the last Pakistan Super League match in Karachi to be played in front of fans.
Hundreds of spectators passed through a thermal test outside the stadium on Thursday. Large number of fans also wore masks and gloves and washed their hands with soap before entering into the stadium.
Sharjeel smashed five sixes and five fours while Babar hit eight boundaries and a six.
Sharjeel were given two reprieves in one over when wicketkeeper Ben Dunk and Faizan Khan dropped the left-hander in the space of three balls.
And Dunk’s Australian countryman Chris Lynn (5) lasted only five deliveries before holing out in the deep against seamer Arshad Iqbal (2-15) as Lahore struggled to post a competitive total.
A Pakistani volunteer takes the temperature of a young spectator outside the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday after advice from the Sindh provincial government. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Pakistani cricket fans wait to enter the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday. The Pakistan Cricket Board said “it was important for us to act quickly to ensure that the wellbeing of all concerned is better protected” from the coronavirus outbreak but the Karachi Kings’ home game on Thursday against Lahore Qalanders went ahead with spectators. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars opening batsman Fakhar Zaman is clean bowled during a Pakistan Super League match against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars opening batsman Fakhar Zaman is clean bowled during a Pakistan Super League match against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars captain Sohail Akhtar hits a cut shot as he scored 68 runs against Karachi Kings in a Pakistan Super League match at National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars captain Sohail Akhtar plays a cut shot as he scored 68 runs against Karachi Kings in a Pakistan Super League match at National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
“For us it’s absolutely the right decision,” PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said. “Human life comes before cricket and it's important that we take our responsibility for the people of Karachi … we've made this decision with a heavy heart, but we've made the right decision.”
Sharjeel Khan of Karachi Kings hits a boundary against Lahore Qalandars during a Pakistan Super League at the National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Kings won by 10 wickets. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Hundreds of spectators passed through a thermal test outside the stadium on Thursday. Large number of fans also wore masks and gloves and washed their hands with soap before entering into the stadium.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
On the field, the opening pair of Sharjeel Khan (74 not out) and Babar Azam (69 not out) hit brisk half centuries and carried Karachi to 151-0 with 17 balls to spare. Lahore were earlier restricted to 150-5 after Karachi skipper Imad Wasim won the toss and elected to field.
Babar Azam of Karachi Kings hits boundary against Lahore Qalandars during the Pakistan Super League at the National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Kings won by 10 wickets. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Sharjeel smashed five sixes and five fours while Babar hit eight boundaries and a six.
Karachi jumped to second place in the table with nine points and still have two games in hand. Lahore is fourth with eight points and will take on Multan in the last league game at home on Sunday.
Multan have already qualified for the playoffs but the rest of the five teams are all in contention to grab the remaining three playoff slots.
Pakistani cricket fans wait to enter the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday. The board said “it was important for us to act quickly to ensure that the wellbeing of all concerned is better protected” from the coronavirus outbreak but the Karachi Kings’ home game on Thursday against Lahore Qalanders went ahead with spectators. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Sharjeel were given two reprieves in one over when wicketkeeper Ben Dunk and Faizan Khan dropped the left-hander in the space of three balls.
Earlier, Lahore skipper Sohail Akhtar made 68 off 49 balls and Mohammad Hafeez scored an unbeaten 35 but the rest of the batsmen struggled against the pace and spin.
Dunk, who scored a scintillating 99 not out off 40 balls in Lahore’s victory over Karachi last Sunday, top edged fast bowler Umaid Asif (2-34) and was out for nine.
Pakistani security personnel wearing face masks, patrol outside the National Stadium during a Pakistan Super League match in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday. The board said “it was important for us to act quickly to ensure that the wellbeing of all concerned is better protected” from the coronavirus outbreak but the Karachi Kings’ home game on Thursday against Lahore Qalanders went ahead with spectators. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
And Dunk’s Australian countryman Chris Lynn (5) lasted only five deliveries before holing out in the deep against seamer Arshad Iqbal (2-15) as Lahore struggled to post a competitive total.
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A Pakistani cricket fan shows his ticket at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday. The board said “it was important for us to act quickly to ensure that the wellbeing of all concerned is better protected” from the coronavirus outbreak but the Karachi Kings’ home game on Thursday against Lahore Qalanders went ahead with spectators. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
A Pakistani volunteer takes the temperature of a young spectator outside the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday after advice from the Sindh provincial government. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Pakistani cricket fans wait to enter the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday that the Pakistan Super League is closing Twenty20 cricket games in Karachi to spectators from Friday. The Pakistan Cricket Board said “it was important for us to act quickly to ensure that the wellbeing of all concerned is better protected” from the coronavirus outbreak but the Karachi Kings’ home game on Thursday against Lahore Qalanders went ahead with spectators. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars opening batsman Fakhar Zaman is clean bowled during a Pakistan Super League match against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars opening batsman Fakhar Zaman is clean bowled during a Pakistan Super League match against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars captain Sohail Akhtar hits a cut shot as he scored 68 runs against Karachi Kings in a Pakistan Super League match at National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Lahore Qalandars captain Sohail Akhtar plays a cut shot as he scored 68 runs against Karachi Kings in a Pakistan Super League match at National Stadium, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)