Hasan Ali animated celebration in PSL [Source: Screengrab- @pslt20]
The PSL 2026 witnessed its own El Clásico as Lahore Qalandars collided against Karachi Kings in a riveting battle. The two teams have always contested a fierce rivalry, and two crucial points were up for stakes as Shaheen Afridi and David Warner clashed in the battle of supremacy on Sunday evening.
On a flat wicket, the Shaheen Afridi-led Qalandars opted to bat, and it backfired on them as the Karachi Kings bowlers dominated the proceedings. They picked up wickets at regular intervals and never allowed Lahore to get away from the jailbreak.
The first innings (Lahore Qalandars batting) had some brilliant moments, but Pakistan seam bowler and Karachi Kings’ best pacer, Hasan Ali, grabbed all the limelight with his antics on the field.
Hasan Ali brings out special celebration against Lahore Qalandars
In the eighth over of the game, Adam Zampa was in the attack, and in front of him was a well-set Abdullah Shafique, who was trying to up the ante. The batter was already batting at 33, and was looking for a big score before the Aussie spinner struck.
Zampa bowled perhaps the worst delivery of his spell as he delivered a short-pitched ball and Shafique miscued his attempted pull shot. The ball was up in the air as Hasan Ali sprinted forward from long-on and put in a brilliant dive to grab a stunner.

However, the catch was not the talk of the town as the Pakistan pacer immediately got up after taking a stunner and pointed his fingers towards him before directing it towards the ground, indirectly stating that he plucked a world-class catch here, and this is his yard.
Hasan Ali is not known for his fielding efforts and catching abilities, but on Sunday, he grabbed a difficult catch to bring his team back in the contest.
Hasan Ali proves his fielding critics wrong with an incredible grab
There is a reason why the Pakistan cricket community doesn’t rate Hasan Ali as a quality fielder, and the reason dates back to the T20 World Cup in 2021.
Pakistan collided against Australia, and the Men in Green were right on top as the Aussies needed a tricky 177 runs to win. The Australian side had lost five wickets, with Matthew Wade playing a role warriors’ knock for them.
In the third ball of the 19th over, Wade miscued a shot and Hasan Ali at deep mid-wicket spilled an easy catch, and it allowed Wade to run away with the contest. In the next three balls, Wade punished Hasan Ali and Pakistan as he struck three back-to-back sixes to seal the game for his team.
Hasan Ali’s catch brings Karachi back in the contest
Qalandars had lost two early wickets before Abdullah Shafique resurrected the innings. He steadied the ship and played some gorgeous shots as the Warner-led side felt the heat.
However, when the Karachi Kings fielder, Hasan Ali took the catch to dismiss Shafique, the team was back in the scheme of things as wickets started to tumble at regular intervals.
From 56/2 to 115/6, the team lost four quick wickets as Lahore was pushed on the back-foot by the opposition bowlers.
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