Debutants Continue Fairytale Run to Final

Hyderabad Kingsmen booked their place in the PSL 11 final on Friday. They pulled off a thrilling two run win over Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Consequently, Hyderabad Kingsmen knock out Islamabad United to end the three time champions campaign. The victory sends the tournament debutants into Sunday’s final against Peshawar Zalmi. Defending 187, Hyderabad held their nerve in a dramatic finish.

Hunain Shah delivered a superb final over with just six runs to defend. United could only manage three runs. Therefore, Hyderabad Kingsmen knock out Islamabad United through outstanding death bowling. The chase never fully settled early on. Sameer Minhas and Mohsin Riaz fell inside the first three overs. Devon Conway and Shadab Khan tried to rebuild with a 42 run stand. Conway fell for 30, and Shadab scored 22 off 24 balls. Mark Chapman then injected momentum with a quick 43 off 26 deliveries. Haider Ali added a 16 ball 31.

The pair added 64 runs and briefly put United in control. After Chapman’s dismissal, Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green nearly dragged their side over the line. They smashed 22 runs in the penultimate over, leaving just six needed off the last over. However, Hunain kept his composure under pressure. He finished with two wickets. Mohammad Ali also picked up two. Akif Javed, Hassan Khan and Saim Ayub claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Hyderabad recovered from a shaky start to post 186 for 5. Maaz Sadaqat fell for a duck in the first over. Saim Ayub and Marnus Labuschagne then steadied the innings with a 70 run partnership. Usman Khan and Kusal Perera changed the game completely. They stitched together a match defining 101 run partnership for the fifth wicket. Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off just 30 balls. Perera made 37 off 21 deliveries.