LAHORE: Hunain Shah delivered an exceptional over under pressure to seal an emphatic win for Hyderabad Kingsmen, helping them qualify for the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
Hyderabad sealed a close win over Islamabad United in the Eliminator 2 under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Chasing 187 in this high-pressure PSL 2026 knockout, Islamabad United stumbled early, losing Sameer Minhas (6) and Mohsin Riaz (5) inside three overs.
Devon Conway (30) and Shadab Khan (22) attempted to rebuild, but regular wickets kept the chase in check. Mark Chapman then led the fightback with a quickfire 43 off 26 balls, while Haider Ali added 31 off 16 deliveries in a crucial 64-run partnership.
Despite Chapman’s dismissal in the 18th over, Islamabad United surged back into contention when Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green smashed 22 runs in the penultimate over, leaving just six required off the final over.
With the match on the line, Hunain Shah produced exceptional death bowling, conceding only three runs to secure a dramatic two-run victory for Hyderabad Kingsmen.
Hunain and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets each, while Akif Javed, Hassan Khan, and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece.
The narrow win confirmed Hyderabad Kingsmen’s place in the PSL 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi, marking a remarkable run for the tournament debutants.
Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne made a crafty 40 off 32 balls before Usman Khan’s quickfire helped Hyderabad Kingsmen finish strongly
Put into bat first, Kingsmen piled up 186-5 in 20 overs.
Kingsmen suffered a big blow in the first over as Maaz Sadaqat was caught off a short bouncer from Richard Gleeson without scoring.
With the scoreboard reading 1-1, out of form Saim Ayub arrived at the crease. He formed a vital partnership with skipper Marnus Labuschagne to steady the innings.
Both batters pounced on anything loose, finishing the powerplay strongly on 54-1.
After the fielding restrictions were lifted, United spinners — Shadab Khan and Chris Green squeezed the runs flow with a couple of tight overs. The pressure resulted in Saim’s wicket, who batted well, scoring 38 off 27 balls, hitting seven fours.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
It was Imad Wasim’s 11th over that put Kingsmen on the back foot as the veteran spinner struck twice in an over. The left-armer first got set batter Labuschagne (39 off 32 balls) and then the big scalp of Glenn Maxwell (3).
As a result, they were reduced to 85-4 in 11.4 overs.
With momentum slipping, Usman Khan and Sri Lankan batter Kusal Perera orchestrated a dramatic turnaround. The pair added an unbroken 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket, lifting Hyderabad Kingsmen to a formidable total in this Pakistan Super League 2025 Eliminator.
Usman Khan led the charge with a fluent 61 not out off just 30 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera provided strong support with 37 off 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Their counter-attacking stand ensured the Kingsmen finished strongly after a mid-innings wobble.
For Islamabad United, Imad Wasim was the standout bowler, returning economical figures of 2/16 in his two overs. Gleeson, Faheem Ashraf, and Chris Green claimed one wicket each but were unable to prevent the late surge.
READ: Salman Naseer provides update on PSL 11 closing ceremony