The Pakistan Super League has produced several high-profile contests between the major city franchises over the past 9 seasons. But no matchup generates more buzz than the battle between southern metropolitans – Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings.
This famous cricketing rivalry will be renewed when the two sides face off during the PSL 2024 season. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings With both teams appearing evenly matched on paper going into the tournament, their head-to-head fixtures are bound to produce electric atmospheres and potentially decisive results for the playoffs race.
In this detailed preview, we analyze the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings head-to-head record, compare their squads, recap classic contests, and predict what could be in store when this marquee rivalry clash takes center stage in PSL 2024.
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Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Head-to-Head
Let’s first look at the overall competitive head-to-head record between the two sides:
| Teams | Matches | Lahore Qalandars Wins | Karachi Kings Wins | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings | 19 | 8 | 11 | 0 |
The Kings have historically dominated this matchup having won 11 of the 19 meetings compared to 8 wins for the Qalandars.
Interestingly, the Qalandars have turned around their fortunes recently, winning 6 of the last 8 matches against Karachi Kings.
Lahore also won their most recent contest convincingly during the PSL 2023 league stage by 7 wickets. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings They restricted Karachi to a below par 125/9 in 20 overs and chased it comfortably with opener Fakhar Zaman scoring a stylish half-century.
But historically, Karachi have won several close nail-biters against Lahore over the past 9 seasons since PSL’s inception in 2016.
With the H2H record evenly split over the past few seasons, the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings contest is too close to predict despite the latter’s overall dominance. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Their PSL 2024 league stage battles could easily go down to the wire.
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Previous 5 Head-to-Head Results
Let’s look at the results between the two rivals over their last 5 meetings:
| Match Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2023 | Gaddafi Stadium | Lahore Qalandars | 7 wickets | Kamran Ghulam (Lahore) 66* off 46 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | National Stadium | Lahore Qalandars | 6 runs | Fakhar Zaman (Lahore) 83 off 54 |
| June 22, 2021 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium | Karachi Kings | 6 wickets | Babar Azam (Karachi) 90* off 60 |
| Nov 14, 2020 | National Stadium | Karachi Kings | 8 wickets | Sharjeel Khan (Karachi) 74 off 59 |
| Mar 15, 2020 | Gaddafi Stadium | Karachi Kings | 5 wickets | Alex Hales (Karachi) 110 off 56 |
We can observe a clear trend of fortunes reversing, with Lahore gaining the edge in recent seasons after Karachi’s initial dominance. The past 5 H2H results have seen fairly conclusive victories with margins beyond 5 wickets or runs.
The matches have produced several memorable batting performances from the likes of Babar Azam, Alex Hales, Sharjeel Khan and Fakhar Zaman among others.
But no clear pattern emerges in terms of venues favoring any particular team. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings With quality cricket stadiums across Pakistan now hosting PSL matches, home advantage has been nullified between these evenly matched sides.
Their contests have been led by individual brilliance with bat or ball. But the overall team efforts have seesawed in recent years. Their next H2H clash in PSL 2024 could go either way.
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings: Comparing the Squads
While PSL 2024 squads will only be finalized at the draft later this year, let’s analyze how the teams currently stack up based on expected retentions and releases:
Lahore Qalandars
Key Players:
- Shaheen Afridi (captain): The superstar pacer will lead Lahore’s bowling attack with his left-arm swing at rapid speeds.
- Fakhar Zaman: The swashbuckling opening batsman can take any attack apart once settled. His big hitting will be crucial to batting momentum.
- Rashid Khan: The leg spinning magician is one of the world’s leading T20 bowlers with his perfect googly and variations.
Analysis: Lahore’s core of Shaheen, Fakhar and Rashid form a formidable trio. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Their local batting talent including Kamran Ghulam and Abdullah Shafique has been groomed well. But they may seek more firepower in the middle order and fast bowling stakes at the draft.
Karachi Kings
Key Players:
- Imad Wasim (captain): The versatile all-rounder leads his hometown franchise. His left-arm spin and lower order hitting add balance.
- Haider Ali: The exciting young batsman provides aggression in the middle order. His power game suits the death overs.
- Mohammad Amir: The experience left-arm pacer spearheads the bowling attack with hisswing bowling abilities.
Analysis: Karachi’s local players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Nabi may be tough to retain with new cost caps. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Reinforcements in the pace bowling department would strengthen their balanced squad. The Kings will likely splash cash on proven match winners at the draft.
While both teams appear evenly matched, the final squads post-draft will give a clearer picture. On paper, the Qalandars seem to have more match winners at present. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings But the Kings historically build strong combos.
This will ensure another thrilling duel awaits when the two rivals face off during the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings double-headers in PSL 2024.
Most Runs in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
Across all 19 meetings between the two sides, here are the leading run scorers:
| Player | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s/100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 524 | 52.4 | 134.41 | 3 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 320 | 40.0 | 152.83 | 1 |
| Lendl Simmons | 249 | 41.5 | 136.26 | 2 |
| Sohaib Maqsood | 245 | 30.63 | 150.92 | 1 |
| Sharjeel Khan | 228 | 38.0 | 137.34 | 2 |
Babar Azam has dominated the batting charts in this rivalry with over 500 runs at a phenomenal average exceeding 50. Fakhar Zaman and Karachi’s Sharjeel Khan have also enjoyed prolific spells.
Sohaib Maqsood has delivered in past H2H clashes for Karachi. Lendl Simmons had successful outings when playing for Karachi.
Overall, Babar’s supreme consistency and knocks of high quality make him stand out in this elite matchup. Fakhar though is in red hot form and hungry to surpass his rivals’ batting feats for Lahore.
Most Wickets in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
Here are the leading wicket takers over 19 head-to-head fixtures between the two arch-rivals:
| Player | Wickets | Economy | Best Figures | 4+ Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahab Riaz | 15 | 8.24 | 4/22 | 1 |
| Rahat Ali | 14 | 8.44 | 4/24 | 1 |
| Usman Shinwari | 12 | 8.08 | 4/35 | 1 |
| Mohammad Amir | 10 | 6.76 | 3/31 | 0 |
| Sohail Tanvir | 9 | 7.58 | 2/13 | 0 |
Veteran left-arm pacers Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali have excelled in the past having regularly run through the oppositions’ batting lineups. Usman Shinwari also has an excellent H2H record.
For the current squads, Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi will be their respective team’s biggest bowling threats when they face-off.
Rashid Khan has also historically enjoyed facing Karachi having picked up 7 wickets against them in just 5 matches.
With world-class pacers on both sides, Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings clashes inevitably produce spellbinding fast bowling performances. Their bowling attacks will once again renew their duel during high-voltage PSL 2024 contests.
Highest Totals in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
In the 19 fixtures between the two rivals so far, these are the highest team totals posted:
| Total | Team | Result | Venue | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205/5 | Karachi Kings | Won by 5 wickets | Gaddafi Stadium | Mar 15, 2020 |
| 197/5 | Karachi Kings | Won by 7 wickets | Dubai Stadium | Mar 21, 2019 |
| 193/4 | Lahore Qalandars | Won by 52 runs | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 22, 2018 |
| 192/4 | Karachi Kings | Won by 8 wickets | National Stadium | Nov 14, 2020 |
| 188/5 | Karachi Kings | Won by 7 runs | Sharjah Stadium | Mar 9, 2017 |
Karachi Kings incredibly occupy the top 4 highest team totals showing their batting firepower against Lahore historically. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Their tally of 205 in 2020 stands out based on the average PSL scoring rates.
Lahore’s best total came in 2018 when they posted 193 powered by blistering half-centuries from Brendon McCullum and Sunil Narine.
Given the growing trend of 200+ scores in T20 cricket recently, this record could very well be broken when the two teams collide in PSL 2024.
Lowest Totals in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
Here are the lowest team scores posted in this famous H2H rivalry over the past 9 seasons:
| Total | Team | Result | Venue | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Lahore Qalandars | Lost by 8 wickets | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 25, 2017 |
| 100/9 | Karachi Kings | Lost by 8 wickets | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 24, 2018 |
| 114 | Lahore Qalandars | Lost by 7 wickets | Dubai Stadium | Mar 13, 2019 |
| 120 | Karachi Kings | Lost by 5 wickets | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 24, 2016 |
| 125/9 | Karachi Kings | Lost by 7 wickets | Gaddafi Stadium | Feb 23, 2023 |
Lahore’s low score of 80 in 2017 stands out as the worst batting performance. Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings also registered their lowest ever PSL total of 100 against Lahore back in 2018 as the rivalry matches saw batting collapses.
The most recent lowest score came during Karachi’s 125/9 versus Lahore in 2023. This illustrates that low scoring encounters are also common between evenly matched sides.
With world-class bowlers on both teams, the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings contests always carry the possibility of sudden batting slides. Achieving big totals is never easy for either side.
Best Bowling Spells in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Rivalry
Let’s revisit some of the most memorable bowling performances in this historic rivalry:
| Bowler | Figures | Team | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sohail Tanvir | 4/5 | Lahore Qalandars | Karachi Kings | Dubai Stadium | Feb 26, 2021 |
| Usman Shinwari | 4/35 | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | Sharjah Stadium | Mar 9, 2017 |
| Mohammad Irfan | 3/20 | Lahore Qalandars | Karachi Kings | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 22, 2018 |
| Wahab Riaz | 4/22 | Lahore Qalandars | Karachi Kings | National Stadium | Mar 15, 2020 |
| Ravi Bopara | 3/23 | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 24, 2016 |
Left-arm pacers like Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir have produced match-winning spells. Lanky pacer Mohammad Irfan also excelled during his stint with Lahore.
All-rounders like Ravi Bopara have chipped in with key strikes. Spinners like Shadab Khan and Rashid Khan have also enjoyed bowling in this high-pressure contest.
We can expect the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir and other emerging stars to produce magical performances when Lahore squares off against Karachi once again in PSL 2024.
Most Catches in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
Here are the leading fielders in the fixture’s history based on most catches:
| Player | Catches |
|---|---|
| Chadwick Walton | 11 |
| Sohail Akhtar | 10 |
| Babar Azam | 8 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 7 |
| Lendl Simmons | 6 |
Chadwick Walton has accounted for 11 catches playing for both franchises over multiple seasons. His wicket-keeping skills along with excellent close-in fielding make him a safe catcher.
Sohail Akhtar has been a star fielder for Lahore Qalandars over the years with 10 grabs against Karachi. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been excellent slip fielders.
With numerous skiers and outside edges induced by quality bowling attacks, this fixture guarantees high-stake catching battles. The PSL 2024 contests promise to produce more stunning grabs by athletic fielders.
Highest Individual Scores in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Rivalry
Let’s revisit some of the best batting knocks played over 19 head-to-head encounters between the two adversaries:
| Batsman | Score | Team | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Hales | 110 off 56 | Karachi Kings | Gaddafi Stadium | Mar 15, 2020 |
| Luke Wright | 108 off 61 | Lahore Qalandars | Sharjah Stadium | Feb 24, 2016 |
| Babar Azam | 90* off 60 | Karachi Kings | Sheikh Zayed Stadium | Jun 22, 2021 |
| Cameron Delport | 89* off 48 | Lahore Qalandars | Dubai Stadium | Feb 26, 2021 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 83 off 54 | Lahore Qalandars | National Stadium | Mar 5, 2022 |
Alex Hales holds the record for the highest score in this contest with a swashbuckling century off just 56 balls for Karachi in 2020.
Luke Wright, Babar Azam, Cameron Delport and Fakhar Zaman have also registered top quality 80+ scores to drive their team to victories against the arch-rivals.
Expect more individual brilliance in PSL 2024 clashes as the batsmen thrive under pressure to deliver match-defining performances.
Highest Powerplay Scores in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
The powerplay phase often sets the tone in T20 games. Here are the top powerplay totals in this marquee PSL rivalry:
| Score | Team | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75/0 | Lahore Qalandars | National Stadium | 14 Mar 2020 |
| 70/2 | Karachi Kings | Sharjah Stadium | 24 Feb 2018 |
| 65/1 | Karachi Kings | Sharjah Stadium | 25 Feb 2017 |
| 63/1 | Karachi Kings | Dubai Stadium | 21 Mar 2019 |
| 59/0 | Karachi Kings | Gaddafi Stadium | 15 Mar 2020 |
Lahore Qalandars hold the record for the best powerplay total having blazed to 75/0 during their league clash against Karachi in 2020 courtesy Fakhar Zaman’s 43 off 17 balls.
Karachi Kings have also consistently gotten off to flying starts in the first 6 overs setting platforms for big totals batting first.
With attacking batsmen on both sides, expect some thrilling powerplay periods when Lahore clashes with Karachi in the upcoming PSL season.
Fastest Fifties in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Matches
Let’s look at the three fastest half-centuries registered in this high-profile PSL contest:
| Batsman | Balls Faced | Team | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Hales | 17 | Karachi Kings | Gaddafi Stadium | 15 Mar 2020 |
| Jason Roy | 26 | Lahore Qalandars | Dubai Stadium | 21 Feb |
Key Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Contests
Let’s revisit some of the most iconic games played between the two rivals:
PSL 2020 League Match
This contest at Gaddafi Stadium in 2020 saw Karachi Kings post the highest ever total (205/5) against Lahore, powered by Alex Hales’ record fastest century off just 52 balls. In response, Ben Dunk led Lahore’s chase with a valiant 57 off 29 but they fell short by 5 wickets.
PSL 2018 Qualifier
An edge-of-the-seat Qualifier match in 2018 saw Lahore Qalandars post 193/4 batting first at Sharjah Stadium thanks to blistering half-centuries from Brendon McCullum and Sunil Narine. Karachi Kings fell agonizingly short in their chase finishing on 191/9 despite Babar Azam’s 63. Lahore won by 2 runs to reach the final.
PSL 2019 League Match
This high-scoring thriller witnessed Karachi Kings chase down a daunting 197 posted by Lahore Qalandars at Dubai Stadium. Babar Azam and Liam Livingstone slammed quickfire 70s to guide Karachi home by 7 wickets with 10 balls remaining.
PSL 2017 League Match
Usman Shinwari’s sensational bowling spell of 4/35 restricted Lahore Qalandars to just 80 in Sharjah. Chasing a low total, Karachi Kings survived some early jolts before reaching 84/6 with Shoaib Malik scoring the winning runs to seal an exciting 4 wicket win.
PSL 2023 League Match
In their most recent meeting at Gaddafi Stadium last season, Lahore defied Karachi’s total of 125/9 thanks to a composed 66* off 46 balls from Kamran Ghulam. The 7 wicket victory enabled Lahore to complete a rare league double over their arch-rivals.
These thrillers prove that no matter where the teams stand in the points table, the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings clashes always produce adrenaline-fueled cricket and nail-biting finishes.
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings: 5 Classic Catches
Let’s revisit some epic catches taken in this rivalry over the past 9 seasons:
1. Ben Dunk’s One-Handed Stunner (2018) – The Lahore wicket-keeper pulled off an incredible leaping one-handed grab to dismiss Karachi’s Lendl Simmons.
2. Sohail Akhtar’s Screamer (2021) – The Lahore skipper took a blinder at cover off Mohammad Nabi’s bat to leave Karachi’s dugout stunned.
3. Chadwick Walton’s Acrobatic Effort (2016) – Walton perfectly judged an upper-cut from Umar Akmal along the third-man boundary to complete a remarkable catch.
4. Babar Azam’s Ripper (2017) – The Karachi batting ace grabbed a searing edge from Fakhar Zaman’s bat at second slip perfectly showcasing his razor-sharp reflexes.
5. Imad Wasim’s Stunner (2019) – Wasim’s one-handed dazzler running back from mid-off to dismiss Lahore’s AB de Villiers brought the Dubai crowd to its feet.
Such outstanding grabs in the outfield and close-in catching positions have often changed the course of these closely fought contests over the years. We can expect similar high stakes catching showdowns when the two cities renew their rivalry in PSL 2024.
Leading Lahore vs Karachi Rivalry Performers
Let’s look at the leading performers who have stamped their authority in this famous contest:
Batters
- Babar Azam – Most Runs (524)
- Luke Wright – Highest Individual Score (108 off 61 balls in 2016)
- Alex Hales – Fastest Century (52 balls in 2020)
Bowlers
- Wahab Riaz – Most Wickets (15)
- Sohail Tanvir – Best Bowling Figures (4/5 in 2021)
- Usman Shinwari – Most 4+ Wicket Hauls (1)
Wicket-Keepers
- Chadwick Walton – Most Catches (11)
- Mohammad Rizwan – Most Stumpings (4)
All-Rounders
- Mohammad Nabi – Most MoM Awards (3)
- Imad Wasim – Best All-Round Performance (2/17 & 42 off 29 in 2018 Qualifier)
These are some of the standout performers who have left their mark when Lahore and Karachi face-off. The next generation of superstars will be aiming to produce their own magical moments when the two sides meet again in the upcoming PSL season.
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings: Predictions for PSL 2024
Ahead of their mouth-watering battles in PSL 2024, here are some bold predictions:
- Fakhar Zaman to score the most runs in the two league fixtures between Lahore and Karachi.
- Lahore’s zesty pacer Zaman Khan to finish as the leading wicket taker.
- Karachi Kings to post the highest team total across the two matches.
- Mohammad Rizwan to effect the most dismissals as Karachi’s wicket-keeper.
- Shaheen Afridi to deliver the best bowling spell claiming 3+ wickets.
- The contests to produce a combined 50+ sixes showcasing power hitting.
- Both matches to go down to the wire with margins under 10 runs or 3 wickets.
Given the wealth of talent on both sides and evenly matched squads, fans can expect two tantalizing contests between the arch-rivals in PSL 2024. Their battles could potentially decide who finishes atop the table and which team advances directly to the final.
Conclusion
In a league blessed with several high-profile fixtures, the showdowns between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings have consistently produced some of the PSL’s most iconic moments over the past 9 seasons.
Their head-to-head record stands nearly even with Karachi having won 11 to Lahore’s 8 after 19 meetings. Recent seasons have seen Lahore turnaround their fortunes in this rivalry.
With world-class players on both squads, their matches guarantee passionate crowds, fiery bowling spells, batting fireworks and edge-of-the-seat excitement.
Their upcoming contests in PSL 2024 promise to be no different. With the league stage fixtures often deciding playoff positions, these southern derbies could determine the eventual champions this season.
Both teams appear well matched on paper at this early stage. But the player drafts, squad balancing, and pre-season preparation will eventually decide which city comes out on top when the sparks fly between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings in PSL 2024!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many times have Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings played each other in PSL?
A: Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings have faced each other 19 times in the Pakistan Super League since its inception in 2016.
Q: Which team has the most wins in Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings matches?
A: Karachi Kings lead the head-to-head record with 11 wins compared to 8 wins for Lahore Qalandars over 19 completed matches between the two sides.
Q: Who won the most recent Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings contest?
A: In their most recent meeting during PSL 2023, Lahore Qalandars defeated Karachi Kings by 7 wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 23rd February 2023.
Q: Who has scored the most runs in matches between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings?
A: Babar Azam has scored the most runs (524) in this rivalry. Fakhar Zaman (320 runs) and Lendl Simmons (249) occupy the next spots.
Q: Who has taken the most wickets in Lahore vs Karachi PSL matches?
A: Veteran pacer Wahab Riaz leads the wicket charts with 15 scalps. He is followed by Rahat Ali (14 wickets) and Usman Shinwari (12 wickets).
Q: What is the highest team total in this rivalry?
A: Karachi Kings hold the record for highest team total having scored 205/5 against Lahore Qalandars during a league match at Gaddafi Stadium in 2020.
Q: When will Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings next face each other in PSL 2024?
A: The schedules for PSL 2024 are not announced yet. But Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings will face off twice in the league stage as they are placed in the same group.
Q: Where can I watch live coverage of Lahore vs Karachi PSL matches?
A: PSL’s official broadcasters PTV Sports and Tapmad TV provide live telecast and streaming options for these marquee clashes in Pakistan and globally.
