Kingsmen beat United to reach PSL 11 final against Zalmi

Hyderabad Kingsmen sealed their place in the PSL 11 final after edging Islamabad United by two runs in a dramatic Eliminator 2 at Gaddafi Stadium. The result sets up a title clash against Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue on Sunday.

In a contest decided in the final over, Hunain Shah’s composed death bowling proved decisive after Usman Khan’s unbeaten half-century had earlier powered Kingsmen to a competitive total.

Hunain holds nerve in final over

Chasing 187, Islamabad United recovered from an early collapse but fell just short despite taking the game deep.

They lost Sameer Minhas (6) and Mohsin Riaz (5) inside the first three overs, slipping to 15 for 2. Devon Conway and Shadab Khan steadied the innings with a 42-run stand before Conway was dismissed by Saim Ayub for 30 off 25 balls.

Shadab struggled to accelerate, scoring 22 off 24 balls before Hassan Khan removed him at the start of the 11th over. At that stage, United needed a shift in momentum, which came through Mark Chapman.

Chapman led the counterattack with a brisk 43 off 26 deliveries, adding 64 runs with Haider Ali, who contributed 31 off 16 balls. However, both fell in quick succession — Haider to Mohammad Ali in the 16th over and Chapman to Hunain Shah in the 18th — leaving United needing a late push.

Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green nearly turned the match, smashing 22 runs off Ali in the penultimate over to bring the equation down to six runs required from the final over.

With the match on the line, Hunain Shah delivered a composed final over, conceding just three runs to seal a narrow two-run victory.

Usman anchors Kingsmen’s recovery

Earlier, Kingsmen posted 186 for 5 after being asked to bat, recovering strongly from an early setback.

Maaz Sadaqat fell for a four-ball duck in the opening over to Richard Gleeson, leaving Kingsmen at 1 for 1. Saim Ayub and captain Marnus Labuschagne then rebuilt the innings with a 70-run partnership.

Saim scored 38 off 27 balls with seven fours before Chris Green broke the stand in the 10th over. Labuschagne continued but fell for 40 off 32 deliveries in the 12th over, alongside Glenn Maxwell (3), as Imad Wasim struck twice to reduce Kingsmen to 85 for 4.

The defining phase came through the fifth-wicket partnership between Usman Khan and Kusal Perera. The pair added 101 runs, shifting momentum firmly in Kingsmen’s favour.

Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off 30 balls, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera supported with 37 off 21 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. Their stand lifted Kingsmen to 186, a total that ultimately proved just enough.

Match shaped by key phases

The game turned on two contrasting moments — Kingsmen’s fifth-wicket partnership and Hunain Shah’s final over.

Usman and Perera’s 101-run stand transformed a fragile position into a competitive total, while Hunain’s control under pressure ensured United could not complete the chase despite needing only six runs in the final over.

United’s innings was marked by recovery phases rather than sustained dominance, with wickets falling at crucial moments disrupting their pursuit.

What this result means

Hyderabad Kingsmen’s victory sends the debutants into their first PSL final, where they will face table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium.

For Islamabad United, the defeat ends their campaign after coming within two runs of victory. The result highlights Kingsmen’s ability to deliver under pressure, particularly in decisive moments at both ends of the match.

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