Chasing a competitive total of 186 for 5, Islamabad United required six runs from the final over with three wickets in hand. However, bowler Hunain Shah delivered a masterclass in death bowling, executing precise yorkers throughout the over. Despite having experienced batters Chris Green and Imad Wasim at the crease, Islamabad managed only three singles, falling agonisingly short of the target.
Led by captain Shadab Khan, Islamabad United saw their hopes of reaching the final slip away by the narrowest of margins. The defeat marked a heartbreaking end to a match that had swung repeatedly in momentum.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a formidable total after being put in to bat. Usman Khan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls. He received crucial support from captain Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 39, along with valuable contributions from Saim Ayub (38) and Kusal Perera (37), helping the side reach 186 for 5.
Islamabad United’s chase began on an unstable note, losing two wickets within the first three overs. Devon Conway (30) and Shadab Khan (22) attempted to stabilise the innings before a counter-attack from Haider Ali, who struck 31 off 16 balls, and Mark Chapman, who scored 43 off 26 deliveries, revived the chase.
The equation tightened to 28 runs required from the final two overs. A costly penultimate over from Mohammad Ali yielded 22 runs, leaving Islamabad with what appeared to be a manageable six runs needed from the final over. However, Hunain Shah’s composed and disciplined bowling under pressure denied the opposition any boundary opportunity, sealing a historic win.
Following the victory, Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne expressed deep emotion during the post-match interaction. He stated that he struggled to find words to describe the achievement, praising his team for delivering high-quality entertainment. He acknowledged that the team had appeared in control before Islamabad’s strong comeback created tension, but credited Hunain Shah’s final over as decisive in securing the win.
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s triumph marks a significant milestone as they advance to the PSL final in their maiden season, demonstrating resilience, composure, and the ability to perform under extreme pressure in one of the tournament’s most dramatic encounters.
About The Author
Comment List