Rawalpindiz’s PSL 2026 slide worsened with a sixth consecutive defeat, as Hyderabad Kingsmen swept them aside in Karachi to claim a third straight victory. The win is a notable turnaround for the Kingsmen, who now sit fourth on the table after a season start that saw them lose their first four matches.
Hyderabad won the toss and chose to field, and the early plan paid off almost immediately. By the end of the Powerplay, Rawalpindiz were reeling at 24 for 3, registering the lowest six-over total of the campaign so far. Usman Khawaja (2) and Mohammad Rizwan (15) were dismissed, and Daryl Mitchell followed after facing five balls without scoring.
Quick facts
- Rawalpindiz suffered a sixth straight loss in PSL 2026.
- Hyderabad Kingsmen won for the third consecutive time and climbed to fourth place.
- Rawalpindiz were 24/3 at the end of the Powerplay (lowest six-over score of the season).
- Hyderabad chased down 122 with 24 balls remaining, finishing at 123/5 in 16.3 overs.
- Key bowling for Hyderabad: Hunain Shah (3 wickets) and Mohammad Ali (3 wickets).
From that point, Rawalpindiz struggled to regain control. Boundaries dried up, dot balls piled on, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals under a disciplined Hyderabad bowling effort. Yasir Khan, batting at No. 3, was the lone bright spot, compiling 24 off 30 deliveries to offer some resistance.
Sam Billings then tried to spark a late recovery, striking 26 from 22 balls and clearing the ropes once, but his innings ended in the 17th over when Asif Mehmood struck. Rawalpindiz ultimately managed just 121/9 in their 20 overs, leaving Hyderabad a chase that looked manageable on paper but never completely comfortable in practice.
Hyderabad’s chase: early wobble, then control
Hyderabad’s pursuit of 122 began in a difficult fashion, with Asif Afridi making an immediate impact. He removed Maaz Sadaqat for four in the first over, then struck again by dismissing the dangerous Saim Ayub, who had reached 15 and included a six. Those blows left the Kingsmen at 35/3 after six overs, with the target still very much in the balance.
Marnus Labuschagne (32 off 21) and Kusal Perera (32* off 24) steadied the innings with a purposeful partnership. But the match swung again when Labuschagne was trapped in front by Saad Masood for 32 off 21, tightening the contest at a crucial moment.
Ben Sears delivered the next major jolt, bowling Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck in the very next over and pushing Hyderabad to 69/5. With a significant portion of the chase still left, it looked like Rawalpindiz might seize momentum for good.
Instead, Hyderabad produced a composed finish. Mohammad Irfan and Kusal Perera kept their composure, rotated the strike effectively, chose their attacking moments, and prevented Rawalpindiz from pulling the game back. Perera carried through to the end on 32 off 24, while Irfan added 34 from 29 as the Kingsmen completed the chase without further interruption, reaching the line with 24 balls to spare.
Brief scores: Rawalpindiz 121/9 (20 overs) — Sam Billings 26; Hunain Shah 3-18, Mohammad Ali 3-21 — lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen 123/5 (16.3 overs) — Irfan Khan 34, Kusal Perera 32*; Asif Afridi 2-20 — by five wickets.
