Hyderabad Kingsmen booked their spot in Eliminator 2 after delivering a comfortable eight-wicket win over Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 on Wednesday, April 29. A strong all-round bowling display put the Sultans under pressure from the start, and once Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan got going in the chase, the Kingsmen smoothly handled the 160-run target with plenty of overs to spare.
Batting first, Multan struggled early and were reduced to 36/3 during the Powerplay. The situation worsened as the scoreboard moved to 51/4 and then 52/5 in the overs that followed, leaving them needing to rebuild while wickets fell regularly. Shan Masood tried to hold one end together, remaining steadfast as partnerships formed around him. His 33-run stand with Mohammad Nawaz gave Multan some stability, before a further 34-run association with Faisal Akram injected the finishing momentum they required—Masood contributing 27 during that period. Even so, the Sultans managed only 159/9 in their 20 overs, with Masood left unbeaten on 69.
The Kingsmen’s bowling attack delivered the breakthroughs they needed, with Mohammad Ali, Akif Jaced, and Hunain Shah taking two wickets each. In response, Hyderabad’s chase never truly hit a wobble. Muhammad Ismail provided an early impact by removing Marnus Labuschagne, but that dismissal only set the stage for what became the decisive partnership: a 102-run stand between Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan. The pair looked fluent and in control throughout, ensuring the required run rate stayed within reach and never spiraled.
Both batters finished with 64 as the Kingsmen closed out the chase in 15.2 overs, with Sadaqat remaining unbeaten. The win means Hyderabad Kingsmen will take on Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday, May 1.
Brief Scores: Multan Sultans 159/9 (20 overs) — Shan Masood 69*; Akif Javed 2/30, Hunain Shah 2/31, Mohammad Ali 2/34. Hyderabad Kingsmen 162/2 (15.2 overs) — Maaz Sadaqat 64*, Usman Khan 64; Muhammad Ismail 1/22, Steven Smith 1/14. Result: Hyderabad Kingsmen won by 8 wickets.
