Hyderabad Kingsmen kept their PSL 11 dream alive with a dominant eight wicket win over Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
After losing their first four matches of the season, Hyderabad have now won six of their last seven games. The win sends them into Eliminator 2, where they will face Islamabad United on Friday for a place in the final against Peshawar Zalmi.
Chasing 160, Hyderabad recovered quickly after losing Marnus Labuschagne early for 11. Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat then took complete control.
Usman smashed 64 off 35 balls with fearless strokeplay. He hit eight fours and three sixes. Maaz matched him with an unbeaten 64 from just 33 balls, striking four fours and five sixes.
The pair added a match winning 102 runs for the second wicket in only 53 balls. Usman fell when victory was close, but Maaz stayed calm and finished the chase with Saim Ayub as Hyderabad reached the target with 28 balls left.
Earlier, Hyderabad’s bowlers set up the win with a sharp display. Multan lost wickets regularly and never fully recovered after early blows.
Shan Masood fought hard with an unbeaten 69 off 46 balls, but lacked enough support as wickets kept falling around him. Multan ended on 159 for 9.
Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed and Hunain Shah picked up two wickets each, while Saim Ayub kept things tight with an economical spell.
Hyderabad’s remarkable turnaround continues, and they now stand one win away from the PSL final.
