Hyderabad Kingsmen stunned Islamabad United with a thrilling two-run win in Eliminator 2, booking a PSL 11 final clash with Peshawar Zalmi after a dramatic last-over finish in Lahore.
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LAHORE: In a high-voltage contest that lived up to its billing, Hyderabad Kingsmen held their nerve to defeat three-time champions Islamabad United by just two runs in Eliminator 2 of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The win sends the tournament debutants into the final, where they will face table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, while bringing an end to United’s campaign.
Chasing 187, Islamabad United stumbled early, losing two wickets inside three overs. A steady 42-run stand between Devon Conway (30) and skipper Shadab Khan (22) provided some stability, but regular breakthroughs kept the chase in check.
Mark Chapman’s aggressive 43 off 26 balls revived hopes, while Haider Ali chipped in with a quick 31. However, the turning point came in the 18th over, when Hunain Shah dismissed Chapman, shifting the momentum back to the Kingsmen.
With six runs needed off the final over, Hunain produced exceptional death bowling, conceding just three runs to seal a dramatic victory.
Earlier, Kingsmen posted a competitive 186/5, powered by a match-defining 101-run partnership between Usman Khan and Kusal Perera.
After early setbacks, Usman Khan anchored the innings with a scintillating unbeaten 61 off just 30 balls, laced with 10 boundaries, while Perera added a brisk 37.
For United, Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, but the total proved just out of reach in the end.
Hunain Shah and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets each for Kingsmen, playing a pivotal role in defending the total.
With momentum firmly on their side, Kingsmen now head into the final as the surprise package of PSL 11—having not just arrived, but truly “chaa gayay.”
