Hyderabad Kingsmen knock out Multan Sultans in PSL 11 Eliminator

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Multan Sultans by eight wickets in Eliminator 1 of Pakistan Super League 11 on Wednesday, ending the latter’s campaign.

Chasing a target of 160, Kingsmen comfortably reached the total with 28 balls to spare, thanks to match-winning half-centuries from Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat.

The Kingsmen had an early setback when captain Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 11, but Usman and Sadaqat steadied the innings with a crucial 92-run partnership for the second wicket.

Usman played an aggressive knock of 64 off 35 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes before being dismissed, while Sadaqat remained unbeaten on 64, anchoring the chase. Saim Ayub added an unbeaten 15 to seal the victory in the 16th over.

Earlier, after being put in to bat, Multan Sultans posted 159/9 in their 20 overs, largely due to a resilient innings from Shan Masood, who scored an unbeaten 69.

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The Sultans struggled early, losing key wickets including Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan inside the powerplay, which derailed their momentum.

Kingsmen’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, with Mohammad Ali, Hunain Shah and Akif Javed picking up two wickets each, while Glenn Maxwell and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece.

With this victory, Hyderabad Kingsmen advance to Eliminator 2, where they will face three-time champions Islamabad United on Friday for a place in the final.