Hyderabad Kingsmen held their nerve in a pulsating finish to defeat Islamabad United by two runs in Eliminator 2 of Pakistan Super League Season 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
In a match packed with momentum swings, Hunain Shah delivered a standout final over, conceding just three runs while defending six to seal a famous victory for the tournament debutants.
Chasing 187, Islamabad United stumbled early, losing two wickets inside the first three overs. Devon Conway and Shadab Khan steadied the innings briefly, but regular breakthroughs kept the pressure intact.
Conway scored a fluent 30 before falling, while Shadab’s cautious 22 failed to shift momentum. Mark Chapman then reignited the chase with a brisk 43, supported by Haider Ali’s quickfire 31.
The game tilted dramatically in the penultimate over when Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green smashed 22 runs, bringing the equation down to just six off the final over.
However, Hunain Shah’s composed bowling under pressure denied United, ending their campaign in heartbreaking fashion.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a competitive 186 for 5 after being put into bat. Their innings was anchored by a stunning unbeaten 61 off 30 balls from Usman Khan, who struck 10 boundaries in a dominant display.
After early setbacks, including the loss of Maaz Sadaqat for a duck, Saim Ayub and Marnus Labuschagne rebuilt the innings with a steady partnership. Both fell in quick succession, leaving Kingsmen in trouble at 85 for 4.
Usman Khan then turned the game with a match-defining 101-run stand alongside Kusal Perera, who contributed a valuable 37 off 21 balls.
Imad Wasim was the standout performer for Islamabad United with two economical wickets, but the bowling unit struggled to contain Kingsmen’s late surge.
With this thrilling win, Hyderabad Kingsmen advance to the PSL 11 final, where they will face table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue.
The victory marks a remarkable journey for the newcomers, while Islamabad United bow out after a fiercely contested campaign.
