LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen held their nerve in a pulsating finish to defeat Islamabad United by two runs in Eliminator 2 of HBL Pakistan Super League 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. With this victory, Hyderabad booked their place in the final against Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, May 3, setting up a mouthwatering clash for the title.
Asked to bat first after Islamabad won the toss, Hyderabad posted a competitive 186/5 in 20 overs. Their innings was built on resilience after early setbacks. However, Islamabad United fought valiantly but fell short getting 184 for seven inn 20 overs.
Asked to bat, Kingsmen opener Maaz Sadaqat fell for a duck in the opening over, leaving Hyderabad at 1/1. Marnus Labuschagne (40 off 32) and Saim Ayub (38 off 27) rebuilt with a fluent 70-run stand, mixing controlled aggression with smart rotation of strike.
A mini-collapse followed as Labuschagne, Ayub, and Glenn Maxwell departed in quick succession, reducing Hyderabad to 85/4.
The innings turned decisively when Usman Khan and Kusal Perera combined for a blistering 101-run partnership off 50 balls. Usman smashed 61 not out off 30 balls, his third fifty of the tournament, striking ten boundaries at a strike rate of 203. Perera added 37 off 21 balls, including two sixes, ensuring Hyderabad finished strongly.
Despite Islamabad’s bowlers striking intermittently, they struggled to contain Hyderabad’s middle-order surge. Imad Wasim (2/16) was the standout, while Mohammad Ali (2/44) and Hunain Shah (2/37) chipped in with wickets but leaked runs at crucial moments.
Chasing 186, Islamabad’s innings mirrored Hyderabad’s in its fluctuating momentum. The chase began shakily as Sameer Minhas (6) and Mohsin Riaz (5) fell cheaply, leaving Islamabad at 15/2. Devon Conway (30 off 25) steadied the innings but was dismissed just as he looked set to accelerate. Skipper Shadab Khan (22 off 24) struggled to find fluency, and his dismissal at 68/4 put Hyderabad firmly in control.
The turning point came with Mark Chapman (43 off 26) and Haider Ali (31 off 16), who launched a spirited counterattack. Their 64-run stand in 33 balls revived Islamabad’s hopes, with Haider’s fearless stroke play and Chapman’s clean hitting electrifying the crowd.
Even after Haider’s dismissal at 132/5, Chapman continued to anchor the chase until he fell in the 18th over. With Islamabad needing 33 runs off the last three overs, the game swung back and forth. Faheem Ashraf (19 off 11) kept Islamabad alive with two sixes, but Hyderabad’s bowlers held their nerve. The 19th over bowled by Mohammad Ali proved costly, conceding 22 runs, bringing Islamabad within touching distance.
However, Hyderabad regrouped in the final over, with Hunain Shah and the fielders executing their plans under immense pressure. Chris Gree remained not out at 21 in nine balls aided with three fours and a six while Imda Waism at 1 was not out. Islamabad ultimately fell short, finishing at 184/7, just two runs adrift of the target.
Hyderabad’s bowlers showed resilience despite Islamabad’s late surge with Mohammad Ali (2/44) and Hunain Shah (2/37) picked crucial wickets. Hassan Khan (1/31) and Saim Ayub (1/31) chipped in with breakthroughs. Despite the expensive penultimate over, Hyderabad’s attack collectively ensured Islamabad never fully seized control.
Islamabad’s slow over-rate yielded a penalty in the final overs, forcing an extra fielder inside the circle, added pressure at a critical juncture. Whereas Hyderabad’s fielding, though not flawless, held firm when it mattered most, with Chapman’s dropped chance earlier proving costly but not decisive.
With this thrilling victory, the Hyderabad Kingsmen advance to the PSL 11 final, where they will face Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, May 3. The Kingsmen’s blend of resilience and explosive batting, coupled with their ability to hold nerve under pressure, makes them formidable contenders.
For Islamabad United, the narrow defeat will sting. Despite spirited performances from Chapman, Haider, and Faheem, they fell just short of a memorable chase. Their campaign ends in heartbreak, but their fighting spirit earned admiration. The Eliminator 2 clash at Gaddafi Stadium will be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of PSL 11. Hyderabad Kingsmen’s 186/5 proved just enough to edge Islamabad United’s 184/7, sealing a two-run victory in a game that swung dramatically until the last ball.
