Lahore (Web Desk): Hyderabad Kingsmen delivered a dominant all-round performance to eliminate Multan Sultans from eleventh season of Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) with a convincing eight-wicket victory in Eliminator 1 on Wednesday.
The result kept the tournament newcomers alive in the competition and booked them a meeting with three-time champions Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday for a place in the final.
Chasing a target of 160, the Kingsmen reached the finish line comfortably with 28 balls remaining after a superb partnership between Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat put the match firmly in their control.
The chase began on a shaky note when skipper Marnus Labuschagne departed for 11 in the second over with the score on 18. However, wicketkeeper-batter Usman joined Sadaqat and quickly shifted momentum with an aggressive counterattack. The pair added 92 runs for the second wicket, dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack with ease.
Usman played the leading role in the stand, smashing 64 off just 35 balls, including eight boundaries and three sixes, before Steve Smith dismissed him in the 11th over. Sadaqat then continued the charge alongside Saim Ayub as the duo calmly guided the Kingsmen home in the 16th over.
Sadaqat remained unbeaten on 64 from 35 deliveries, striking eight fours and three sixes, while Saim contributed an unbeaten 15 off 15 balls. Ismail and Smith claimed one wicket each for the Sultans.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Sultans struggled for momentum and finished with 159/9 in their 20 overs despite a fighting knock from Shan Masood.
The innings got off to a poor start when Mohammad Ali removed Steve Smith for 13 in the third over.
The Kingsmen bowlers kept tightening the pressure as Akif Javed dismissed Sahibzada Farhan for 15 and Hunain Shah trapped Josh Philippe lbw for six, reducing the Sultans to 36/3 during the powerplay.
Shan Masood attempted to rebuild alongside Ashton Turner, but their partnership added only 15 runs before Saim Ayub sent Turner back for nine in the seventh over. Glenn Maxwell then deepened the trouble by dismissing Arafat Minhas on the first ball of the next over, leaving the Sultans reeling at 52/5.
Masood tried to rescue the innings with Mohammad Nawaz, adding 33 runs for the sixth wicket before Javed removed Nawaz for 19. Mohammad Imran Randhawa managed only two before Mohammad Ali struck again, while Hunain Shah later bowled Peter Siddle to keep the Kingsmen in complete control.
Despite wickets falling regularly at the other end, Masood stood firm and brought up his 10th PSL half-century in the 18th over. He remained unbeaten on 69 from 46 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, but his effort was not enough to prevent the Sultans’ exit from the tournament.
For the Kingsmen, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali and Akif Javed picked up two wickets each, while Glenn Maxwell and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece.