Our Web Desk
LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen continued their remarkable resurgence in the HBL PSL with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, booking a place in Eliminator 2.
The Kingsmen, who began their campaign with four consecutive defeats, have now won six of their last seven matches to stay firmly in contention for the title.
They will face Islamabad United on Friday for a spot in the final, where Peshawar Zalmi await.
Chasing a modest target of 160, Hyderabad made light work of the task, reaching 162 for two in just 15.2 overs. The foundation was laid by a blistering 102-run second-wicket partnership between Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan that effectively sealed the contest.
Usman Khan struck 64 off 35 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes, accelerating after an early setback. He brought up his half-century in 29 deliveries before falling with the finish line in sight.
Maaz Sadaqat anchored the chase with an unbeaten 64 off 33 balls, hitting four boundaries and five sixes. He raised his fifty in just 25 balls and completed the chase with 28 deliveries to spare, alongside Saim Ayub, who remained not out on 15.
Earlier, Multan Sultans struggled to build momentum after being put in to bat by Hyderabad captain Ashton Turner. Early wickets derailed their innings as Sahibzada Farhan and Steven Smith fell cheaply, while Mohammad Ali removed Josh Philippe to leave Multan reeling at 36 for three inside five overs.
Further blows followed as Hyderabad’s bowlers tightened their grip. Akif Javed and Hunain Shah struck at regular intervals, while Saim Ayub and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with key breakthroughs, reducing Multan to 52 for five in the eighth over.
Shan Masood offered resistance with an unbeaten 69 off 46 balls, featuring four sixes, but lacked sustained support. Brief partnerships with Mohammad Nawaz and Peter Siddle helped push the total to 159 for nine, though it proved insufficient.
Hyderabad’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Mohammad Ali (2-34), Akif Javed (2-30) and Hunain Shah (2-31), while Saim Ayub delivered the most economical spell with 1-23 from four overs.
