After starting their campaign without a win in their opening four outings, Hyderabad Kingsmen struck again on Sunday, April 12, claiming their second victory in as many matches by defeating Islamabad United by six wickets. Captain Marnus Labuschagne starred with an unbeaten 61 off 53 balls as the Kingsmen chased down 154, with Glenn Maxwell—playing his second PSL game—adding a couple of big hits that helped the finish feel comfortable. On the defensive side, Hyderabad’s bowling kept United to 153 for 9, setting up a chase that never truly looked out of reach.
Hyderabad’s chase: 154 with room to accelerate
- Hyderabad entered the chase after United posted 153 for 9, and the Kingsmen were steady early on despite a few moments where the required asking rate could have felt tighter.
- In the 14th over, the situation was 105 for 3, but the middle stage brought a brief wobble as wickets fell in quick succession.
- Even with the collapse, Hyderabad still managed to move beyond the 150 mark, largely driven by Mark Chapman’s 42 during the innings.
- Labuschagne continued to anchor the pursuit, taking calculated singles and building pressure through well-timed shots rather than forcing the tempo.
- Maxwell’s two sixes then quickened the pace and pushed the chase towards the finish line, with Hyderabad completing the job with 11 balls remaining.
Earlier, the foundation for the chase had been laid by Devon Conway, who opened with a 31-ball 45. His innings was packed with the sort of sharp cuts and driving that have become a hallmark of his batting. However, Conway’s dismissal arrived shortly after Mohammad Faiq’s run-out two balls earlier, and that double blow disrupted the rhythm of the innings. Between overs 10 and 15, Islamabad could only add 23 runs, leaving the chase under pressure.
Asif Mehmood proved decisive at the death, finishing with figures of 4 for 18. He took all four wickets in the final over as United’s middle and lower order searched for quick runs, but the late surge wasn’t enough to cross the 154 target.
Turning points in the chase
- Maaz Sadaqat began Hyderabad’s run chase by scoring 20 runs off the first over bowled by Imad Wasim.
- Labuschagne then found his touch quickly, including a clever scoop placed between the wicketkeeper and short third man.
- The pair reached the 50 mark inside five overs, establishing a platform that looked promising for a smoother chase.
- Shortly after that milestone, Sadaqat was dismissed after the first spinner, Chris Green, came into the attack.
- Labuschagne and Saim Ayub steadied things with controlled strokeplay, keeping risk low and relying on timing through the gaps.
- Hyderabad lost three wickets for five runs, yet Labuschagne held firm and completed his fifty with a scoop that beat the keeper’s reach.
- Maxwell’s two sixes delivered the final acceleration, sealing the win with 11 balls to spare.
With the result, Hyderabad Kingsmen moved to sixth place in the points table. Islamabad United remain third, sitting on seven points.
Brief scores: Islamabad United 153/9 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 45, Mark Chapman 42, Asif Mehmood 4-18, Mohammad Ali 2-26) lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen 157/4 in 18.1 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 61*, Saim Ayub 35, Chris Green 2-19, Faheem Ashraf 2-33) by six wickets.
