By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Skipper Marnus Labuschagne anchored a steady chase after a solid bowling performance from debutant medium pacer Asif Mehmood as Hyderabad Kingsmen secured their second consecutive win of the HBL PSL 11, defeating Islamabad United by six wickets at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Kingsmen, who had waited until their fifth game to find their first win, continued their upward surge by chasing down a target of 154 with 11 balls to spare, moving further up the table.
Chasing 154, Kingsmen were provided a blistering start by Maaz Sadaqat, who smashed 30 off just 16 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. Sadaqat’s aggression allowed the opening pair to put on a 50-run partnership in just 28 deliveries.
After Sadaqat fell in the fifth over, Labuschagne took control, playing a calculated knock of 61 not out from 53 balls. He shared a crucial 60-run second-wicket stand with Saim Ayub, who contributed 35 off 26 balls with two fours and two sixes. Although Faheem Ashraf (2-33) and Chris Green (2-19) struck in quick succession to leave the Kingsmen at 115-4, Glenn Maxwell arrived to extinguish any hopes of a United comeback. Maxwell blasted an unbeaten 21 off just nine balls, including two sixes and a four, to clinically wrap up the chase in the 19th over.
Earlier, Islamabad United were restricted to 153-9 after being put in to bat. Devon Conway top-scored with 45 off 31 balls, featuring seven fours, while Sameer Minhas added a quick 22 (three fours, one six). The pair gave United a solid platform at 56-0 in the sixth over, but the innings lost momentum following two crucial run-outs.
Mark Chapman attempted to stabilize the middle order with 42 off 30 balls (three fours, two sixes), but he lacked support as wickets tumbled around him. Asif Mehmood, who made his PSL debut, was the wrecker-in-chief in the final over, claiming four wickets for 18 runs across his two overs to prevent a late flourish. Mohammad Ali also impressed with the ball, returning figures of 2-26.
With this result, Kingsmen have successfully turned their season around with back-to-back wins while Islamabad United remain in the hunt for a top-four finish witb seven points from six games.
Summarised Score:
Islamabad United: 153-9 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 45, Mark Chapman 42; Asif Mehmood 4-18, Mohammad Ali 2-26)
Hyderabad Kingsmen: 157-4 in 18.1 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 61*, Saim Ayub 35, Maaz Sadaqat 30; Chris Green 2-19, Faheem Ashraf 2-33)
Result: Hyderabad Kingsmen won by 6 wickets.
Marnus Labuchagne (Player of the match)
