PSL 11: Hyderabad Kingsmen defeat Islamabad United by 6 wickets

Karachi (Web Desk): Hyderabad Kingsmen delivered a clinical performance to outplay Islamabad United by six wickets in the 21st match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Sunday, with skipper Marnus Labuschagne leading from the front with an unbeaten half-century.

The result signalled a welcome shift in momentum for the Kingsmen, who notched up their second win on the trot after previously getting the better of Karachi Kings, bouncing back strongly after enduring four successive defeats earlier in the competition.

Asked to chase 154, the newcomers handled the pursuit with composure and control, reaching the target with 11 deliveries remaining while losing four wickets. Labuschagne paced the innings expertly, finishing unbeaten on 61 from 53 balls and striking six boundaries to anchor the effort.

He found solid backing from Maaz Sadaqat and Saim Ayub, who chipped in with 30 and 35 respectively to keep the innings on track. The finishing touches were applied in style as Labuschagne combined with Glenn Maxwell, whose brisk unbeaten 21 off nine balls ensured a smooth conclusion to the chase.

On the bowling front for Islamabad United, stand-in captain Chris Green and Faheem Ashraf managed to pick up two wickets each but could not generate enough pressure to defend the total.

Earlier, Labuschagne’s decision at the toss to field first proved fruitful as Islamabad United, the three-time champions, were held to 153 for nine in their 20 overs.

United’s innings began on a positive note, with openers Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway putting together a 56-run opening stand. Minhas played an attacking hand of 22 from just 13 deliveries, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed by Mohammad Ali towards the end of the powerplay.

Conway then added a further 31 runs with Mohammad Faiq, but a double setback in the 10th over saw both batters run out, leaving United at 89 for three. Conway emerged as the top scorer for his side with 45 off 31 balls, hitting seven boundaries, while Faiq contributed a quick 18 off 14 deliveries.

The innings lost direction soon after, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf were dismissed cheaply for six and five respectively, as the batting side slipped to 113 for five in the 16th over.

Amid the slide, Mark Chapman stood firm and played a determined knock of 42 off 30 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. However, his resistance ended in the final over when he was dismissed by Asif Mehmood, who then ran through the lower order.

Mehmood produced a decisive spell at the death, removing Imad Wasim, Mehran Mumtaz and Chris Green in quick succession to halt any late surge. He finished as the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of four for 18, while Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets and Maxwell chipped in with one to complete a disciplined bowling display by the Kingsmen.