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The Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings rivalry is one of the most closely followed matchups in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). It brings together two franchises representing Pakistan’s two biggest cities, and their meetings have regularly produced tight finishes, high-scoring games, collapses, Super Overs and playoff drama. The rivalry began in the inaugural PSL season in 2016 and has continued through the 2026 season. By the end of the 2025 season, the teams had met 24 times, with Karachi Kings holding the stronger overall head-to-head record. The 2026 season added two more league meetings, including Karachi’s four-wicket victory on March 29 and another Karachi win on April 23.
Match Timeline
The rivalry has developed in several distinct phases. Karachi dominated the opening season, Lahore responded in 2017, and their 2018 Super Over remains one of the most memorable matches between the franchises. The 2020 final gave Karachi another important victory, while Lahore’s championship era in the early 2020s changed the balance of the contest.
| Year | Match / Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | First PSL meeting, February 5 | Karachi Kings won by 7 wickets |
| 2016 | Second meeting, February 12 | Karachi Kings won by 27 runs |
| 2017 | First meeting, February 16 | Lahore Qalandars won by 7 runs |
| 2017 | Second meeting, February 25 | Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets |
| 2018 | First meeting, February 26 | Karachi Kings won by 27 runs |
| 2018 | Second meeting, March 11 | Match tied; Lahore won Super Over |
| 2019 | First meeting, February 16 | Lahore Qalandars won by 22 runs |
| 2019 | Second meeting, February 28 | Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets |
| 2020 | League meeting | Lahore Qalandars won |
| 2020 | PSL Final | Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets |
| 2021 | First meeting | Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets |
| 2021 | Second meeting | Karachi Kings won by 7 runs |
| 2022 | First meeting | Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets |
| 2022 | Second meeting | Karachi Kings won by 22 runs |
| 2023 | First meeting | Karachi Kings won by 67 runs |
| 2023 | Second meeting | Karachi Kings won by 86 runs |
| 2024 | First meeting | Karachi Kings won by 2 wickets |
| 2024 | Second meeting | Karachi Kings won by 3 wickets |
| 2025 | First meeting | Lahore Qalandars won by 65 runs |
| 2025 | Second meeting | Karachi Kings won by 4 wickets |
| 2025 | Eliminator 1 | Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 | First meeting, March 29 | Karachi Kings won by 4 wickets |
| 2026 | Second meeting, April 23 | Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets |
The early results and season-by-season pattern are documented in historical head-to-head records, while PCB records confirm the 2025 and 2026 fixtures.
2016: Karachi Kings Establish Early Control
The rivalry began during the first PSL season on February 5, 2016, in Dubai. Lahore Qalandars scored 125/8, but Karachi Kings chased the target in just 15.5 overs, reaching 131/3 for a seven-wicket victory.
The second meeting came a week later on February 12. Karachi again came out on top, scoring 178/5 before restricting Lahore to 151/8. The 27-run victory completed a 2-0 season record for Karachi.
| Date | Lahore Qalandars | Karachi Kings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 5, 2016 | 125/8 | 131/3 | Karachi won by 7 wickets |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | 151/8 | 178/5 | Karachi won by 27 runs |
The first season therefore established Karachi as the dominant side in this new matchup.
2017: Lahore Responds
The 2017 season produced a much more competitive contest. Lahore won the first meeting by seven runs after posting 179/8. Karachi then responded in the second match, chasing 156 to win by five wickets.
The important change was that Lahore had started finding ways to pressure Karachi’s batting lineup. Instead of another clean sweep, the season ended 1-1.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Feb. 16, 2017 | Lahore Qalandars won by 7 runs |
| Feb. 25, 2017 | Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets |
2018: The Super Over Classic
The 2018 meetings added one of the defining chapters to the rivalry.
Karachi won the first game by 27 runs after scoring 159/7 and bowling Lahore out for 132. The second encounter was dramatically different. Lahore made 163/8 and Karachi also finished on 163/5, forcing a Super Over.
The Super Over went Lahore’s way, with Sunil Narine delivering an excellent over under enormous pressure. Lahore therefore secured a rare victory over Karachi in a match that finished level after 20 overs.
| Match | Regulation Result | Decisive Result |
|---|---|---|
| First meeting | Karachi 159/7, Lahore 132 all out | Karachi won by 27 runs |
| Second meeting | Both teams finished on 163 | Lahore won Super Over |
This match became particularly important because it showed how little separated the teams when the contest reached its final stages.
2019: Another Split Season
The 2019 PSL season once again produced one victory apiece.
Lahore won the first meeting on February 16, scoring 138/6 before dismissing Karachi for 116. The 22-run margin was built around disciplined bowling after Lahore had posted a modest total.
Karachi reversed the result in the second match. Lahore made 133/5, but Karachi chased the target at 134/5 in 19.1 overs to win by five wickets.
The 2019 results continued a pattern that had become familiar: one team could dominate one encounter before the other responded in the next.
The Rivalry Reaches the PSL Final
The 2020 season represented a major moment in the history of the matchup because Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings eventually met in the PSL final.
The league meeting between the teams had already produced another Lahore victory, but the final carried much greater significance. Karachi Kings won the championship match by five wickets, giving the franchise its first PSL title.
For Karachi, the final victory was an important milestone in franchise history. For Lahore, it became part of a series of playoff disappointments before the team eventually won its first championship.
Close Margins Continue
The 2021 season produced another split.
Lahore won the first encounter in Karachi by six wickets. Karachi then responded in Abu Dhabi, winning the second meeting by seven runs.
The seven-run margin was another example of the rivalry’s tendency to produce matches decided late rather than one-sided contests.
2022: Lahore’s Championship Era Begins
The 2022 meetings again ended 1-1. Lahore won the first game in Karachi by six wickets, while Karachi took the second encounter by 22 runs.
The bigger story for Lahore that season came later. The Qalandars won their first PSL championship in 2022, beginning a successful period for the franchise.
Lahore would go on to win another title in 2023 and a third in 2025.
2023: Karachi Wins Both Meetings
The rivalry shifted strongly toward Karachi in 2023.
Karachi won the first meeting by 67 runs after making 185/5 and restricting Lahore to 118 all out. In the second encounter, Karachi produced another dominant performance, winning by 86 runs after scoring 196/7 and bowling Lahore out for 110.
| Date | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 19, 2023 | 185/5 | 118 all out | Karachi won by 67 runs |
| Mar. 12, 2023 | 196/7 | 110 all out | Karachi won by 86 runs |
The combined margin across the two games was enormous: Karachi won by a total of 153 runs.
Karachi Maintains Its Advantage
Karachi continued its strong run in 2024.
The first match on February 24 was a thriller. Lahore scored 175/6, but Karachi reached 176/8 to win by two wickets.
The second meeting on March 9 was another close chase. Lahore made 177/5, while Karachi reached 179/7 and won by three wickets.
These two results were significant because Karachi had now won four consecutive meetings against Lahore across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Three Matches, Two Different Stories
The 2025 season changed the rhythm again.
On April 15, Lahore produced one of its biggest wins against Karachi, scoring 201/6 and then dismissing Karachi for 136. Lahore won by 65 runs, with Fakhar Zaman scoring 76 and Daryl Mitchell making 75.
The teams met again on May 4. Lahore made 160/8 in a rain-shortened 15-over match, but Karachi reached 168/6 in 14.3 overs and won by four wickets under the DLS method. Muhammad Irfan Khan was named Player of the Match.
Then came the Eliminator.
2025 Eliminator: Lahore Turns the Tables
On May 22, Karachi made 190/8 in the Eliminator at Gaddafi Stadium. David Warner top-scored with 75 from 52 balls, while Khushdil Shah added an unbeaten 27 from only 14 deliveries.
Lahore, however, chased the target successfully and reached 191/4 in 18.4 overs to win by six wickets. Abdullah Shafique was named Player of the Match.
That result was especially important because it ended Karachi’s immediate advantage in the 2025 season and sent Lahore into the next stage of the playoffs.
2026: Karachi Wins Both League Meetings
The 2026 PSL season added two more Lahore-Karachi meetings.
The first took place on March 29 at Gaddafi Stadium. Lahore made only 128/9 in 20 overs. Karachi chased the target and reached 131/6, winning by four wickets. Adam Zampa was named Player of the Match for his bowling contribution.
The teams met again on April 23 at Gaddafi Stadium. Lahore produced a much stronger total of 199/6, with Abdullah Shafique scoring 62 and Fakhar Zaman making 61. Karachi nevertheless chased the target and won by five wickets, with Khushdil Shah named Player of the Match.
| Date | Lahore Qalandars | Karachi Kings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 29, 2026 | 128/9 | 131/6 | Karachi won by 4 wickets |
| Apr. 23, 2026 | 199/6 | — | Karachi won by 5 wickets |
PCB’s player records independently list both 2026 meetings, confirming that the franchises faced each other twice during that season.
Memorable Encounters
Several matches stand out in the history of this rivalry.
The 2018 Super Over
The 2018 tie remains one of the most recognizable games between the teams. Both sides scored 163 in their respective innings, sending the match into a Super Over. Lahore eventually won the deciding contest.
The 2020 PSL Final
The 2020 final brought the rivalry onto the biggest stage. Karachi won by five wickets and claimed its first PSL championship.
The 2023 Double
Karachi’s two victories in 2023 were among the largest margins in the rivalry. The Kings won by 67 runs and then by 86 runs, bowling Lahore out for 118 and 110 respectively.
The 2025 Eliminator
Lahore’s six-wicket victory in the 2025 Eliminator showed how quickly the rivalry could change. Karachi had scored 190/8, but Lahore’s chase reached 191/4 with eight balls remaining.
Important Milestones
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| First meeting | February 5, 2016 |
| First Karachi win | February 5, 2016 |
| First Lahore win | February 16, 2017 |
| First tie | March 11, 2018 |
| First Super Over | March 11, 2018 |
| First PSL final meeting | 2020 |
| Karachi’s first PSL title | 2020 |
| Lahore’s first PSL title | 2022 |
| Largest Lahore win in listed rivalry results | 86 runs?* |
| Major Lahore score vs Karachi | 201/6, 2025 |
| Karachi’s notable high score vs Lahore | 196/7, 2023 |
| Latest recorded meeting | April 23, 2026 |
*The 2023 86-run result was actually a Karachi victory, so it should not be described as Lahore’s largest win. The important point is that it was one of the largest winning margins in the rivalry.
Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry has historically favored Karachi. Historical records through 2025 show 24 meetings, with Karachi winning 16 and Lahore winning 8. The 2018 Super Over is recorded separately in some statistical databases because the regulation match was tied.
The 2026 season added two Karachi victories, meaning the overall record moved further in Karachi’s favor after those matches.
For the most recent 10 meetings listed by IPL.com, Karachi held a 7-3 advantage over Lahore before the 2026 meetings shown in that database.
| Period | General Pattern |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Karachi dominated 2-0 |
| 2017 | Split 1-1 |
| 2018 | Karachi won one; Lahore won one after Super Over |
| 2019 | Split 1-1 |
| 2020 | Both won a league meeting; Karachi won the final |
| 2021 | Split 1-1 |
| 2022 | Split 1-1 |
| 2023 | Karachi won both |
| 2024 | Karachi won both |
| 2025 | Lahore won two of three |
| 2026 | Karachi won both league meetings |
Major Records
The rivalry has produced a number of notable statistical extremes.
| Record | Figure / Match |
|---|---|
| Lahore’s highest total against Karachi | 201/6 in 2025 |
| Karachi’s highest total against Lahore in the listed rivalry record | 196/7 in 2023 |
| Lahore’s lowest total in the rivalry | 110 all out in 2023 |
| Karachi’s lowest total in the rivalry | 116 all out in 2019 |
| Largest Karachi win listed | 86 runs in 2023 |
| Largest Lahore win listed | 65 runs in 2025 |
| Closest dramatic finish | 2018 Super Over |
| Major playoff meeting | 2020 PSL Final |
| Recent playoff meeting | 2025 Eliminator 1 |
The 2019 figures are particularly interesting because Lahore’s 138/6 was enough to bowl Karachi out for 116, while Karachi’s lowest recorded total against Lahore in the rivalry was also part of that match.
Recent Matches
The most recent meetings show a contrast between Lahore’s strong 2025 campaign against Karachi and Karachi’s response in 2026.
In April 2025, Lahore reached 201/6 and won by 65 runs. One month later, Karachi chased 160 in a rain-affected contest. Lahore then won the Eliminator by chasing 191.
In 2026, Karachi won both encounters. The first was a low-scoring chase, while the second required Karachi to chase a much larger 199-run target.
This sequence illustrates why the rivalry is difficult to summarize through a single season. Results have repeatedly changed from one meeting to the next.
Why This Rivalry Is So Closely Followed
The Lahore-Karachi contest combines geography, fan culture and competitive history. Lahore and Karachi are two of Pakistan’s largest and most prominent cities, and their PSL franchises have developed strong fan bases.
The cricket itself has added to that interest. The teams have played in league matches, playoff games and a PSL final. They have also produced a Super Over, narrow run chases and substantial changes in momentum across seasons.
Another feature is the variety of match conditions. Early meetings took place in Dubai and Sharjah, while later editions brought the rivalry back to Pakistan, particularly at Gaddafi Stadium and National Stadium Karachi.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings first play each other?
The first PSL meeting between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings took place on February 5, 2016, during the inaugural PSL season. Karachi won by seven wickets after chasing Lahore’s 125/8.
How many times have Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings played each other?
The teams had played 24 times through the 2025 season according to the historical rivalry record. They then met twice in the 2026 PSL season, on March 29 and April 23.
Which team won the 2018 Super Over match?
Lahore Qalandars won the 2018 match after the regulation game ended tied at 163. The Qalandars won the Super Over, with Sunil Narine playing a key role in the deciding over.
When did Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings meet in a PSL final?
The franchises met in the 2020 PSL final. Karachi Kings won the final by five wickets and secured their first PSL championship.
What happened in their latest recorded meetings?
In the 2026 PSL season, Karachi Kings won both league meetings. Karachi won by four wickets on March 29 after Lahore made 128/9, and then won by five wickets on April 23 after Lahore posted 199/6.
Conclusion
The Lahore-Karachi rivalry has evolved significantly since its first PSL meeting in 2016. Karachi controlled the opening season, Lahore began competing more strongly in 2017, and the 2018 Super Over established the matchup as a source of high-pressure finishes. The 2020 final added a championship chapter, while Lahore’s titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025 marked a successful period for the Qalandars. The 2025 season produced three meetings, including a playoff win for Lahore, before Karachi won both league encounters in 2026. Across more than a decade of PSL competition, the rivalry has combined close chases, big totals, dramatic finishes and playoff pressure, making it one of the league’s most recognizable recurring contests.
