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Abdullah Zahid
LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen secured a dramatic two-run victory over Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, booking their place in the final after a thrilling contest at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
The Kingsmen will now face Peshawar Zalmi in the final scheduled for Sunday, as both teams battle for the PSL 2026 title.
Batting first after Islamabad United opted to field, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a competitive total of 186 for 5 in their 20 overs. Usman Khan led the charge with a superb 61-run knock, smashing 10 boundaries. Captain Marnus Labuschagne contributed 39 runs, while Saim Ayub added 38 and Kusal Perera chipped in with 37, helping set a challenging target of 187.
For Islamabad United, Imad Wasim picked up two wickets, while Chris Green, Richard Gleeson, and Faheem Ashraf claimed one wicket each.
In response, Islamabad United fell just short, finishing at 184 runs despite a strong fightback. Mark Chapman top-scored with 43, Devon Conway made 30, skipper Shadab Khan added 22, and Chris Green contributed 21 runs. However, the side could not cross the finish line in the final over.
Fast bowler Hunain Shah emerged as the match-winner for Hyderabad Kingsmen and was named Player of the Match. He delivered a composed spell, taking 2 wickets for 37 runs in his four overs. In a tense final over, with Islamabad needing six runs to win, Hunain conceded only four runs to seal a memorable victory.
Mohammad Ali also claimed two wickets, while Hasan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Akif Javed took one each for the Kingsmen.
Speaking at the toss, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan had emphasized the importance of handling pressure, noting that the team performing better under pressure would win. Despite a determined effort, his side fell narrowly short.
Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne expressed satisfaction with his team’s all-round performance, stating that the players handled pressure situations effectively and executed their plans well.
With this win, Hyderabad Kingsmen carry strong momentum into the final, setting up an exciting showdown against Peshawar Zalmi as PSL 2026 reaches its climax.
