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Abdullah Zahid
LAHORE: Islamabad United delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen by eight wickets in the 36th match of the Pakistan Super League 2026 at the Qaddafi Stadium Lahore, on Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 81, Islamabad United made light work of the total, reaching 83 for 2 in just 6.4 overs, with a remarkable 80 balls to spare. The emphatic win further strengthens United’s push for a playoff spot, while Kingsmen’s struggles continued with another heavy defeat.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen suffered a dramatic batting collapse after being put in to bat. The side was bowled out for just 80 runs in 15.5 overs, one of their lowest totals in the tournament. The innings never gained momentum, as wickets fell at regular intervals and no batter managed to anchor the innings or build a meaningful partnership.
A late effort by Asif Mehmood and Usman Khan provided a brief highlight, as the duo added 19 runs for the eighth wicket, setting a new record for Kingsmen’s highest 8th-wicket partnership in T20 cricket, surpassing their previous mark of six runs. However, the resistance came too late to alter the course of the match.
Islamabad United’s bowlers were clinical throughout. Captain Shadab Khan led from the front with three wickets, while Imad Wasim also claimed three scalps. England pacer Richard Gleeson made a strong impact, taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs in his three overs, applying early pressure that Kingsmen never recovered from.
In response, Islamabad United’s batting line-up chased down the target with ease. Opener Sameer Minhas remained unbeaten on 27 off 20 balls, striking three boundaries and a six to provide a steady start. Shadab Khan then sealed the victory in style, hitting a boundary off the first ball he faced.
The match also produced an unusual statistical record, with a combined total of 163 runs (80 + 83) — the lowest aggregate in T20 matches between the two sides.
For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Mohammad Ali was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, but the low total left little room for defense.
The result gives Islamabad United a significant boost in confidence as the league stage nears its conclusion, while Hyderabad Kingsmen will need to urgently address their batting frailties to remain competitive in the tournament.
