Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a competitive 186 for five against Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 of Pakistan Super League Season 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.After choosing to bowl first, Islamabad struck early as Richard Gleeson dismissed Maaz Sadaqat for a duck in the opening over.
Kingsmen recovered through a 70-run partnership between Saim Ayub and captain Marnus Labuschagne.Ayub scored 38 off 27 balls with seven boundaries, while Labuschagne added 39 from 32 deliveries. Islamabad clawed back in the 12th over when Imad Wasim removed both Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell, reducing Kingsmen to 85 for four.The momentum shifted again as Usman Khan and Kusal Perera put together a match-defining 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off 30 balls, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera contributed a brisk 37 off 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes.Imad Wasim was the standout bowler for Islamabad with figures of two for 16. Gleeson, Chris Green, and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket each but struggled to contain the late onslaught.Kingsmen have set a target of 187, with the winner progressing to face Peshawar Zalmi in Sunday’s final.
