In a commanding performance, the Hyderabad Kingsmen took down the Multan Sultans by eight wickets, chasing down a modest target of 160 with 28 balls to spare. The Kingsmen’s clinical playoff display ensured Multan’s exit from the competition as they moved on to face Islamabad United in the semi-final, with the winner advancing to the final against Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday.
The Kingsmen entered the game full of momentum after their dominant victory over Rawalpindi, and they carried that confidence into their contest against the Sultans. Despite being the higher-ranked team, Multan was under pressure after two consecutive losses, with their recent form raising concerns. The Kingsmen, on the other hand, played like a team determined to secure a playoff spot, and they wasted no time in asserting their dominance.
With pace bowlers Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed, and Hunain Shah leading the charge, the Kingsmen relentlessly attacked the Sultans. It all began when Ali’s sharp catch off Smith’s bat struck the first blow, and the Kingsmen soon dismantled the Sultans’ middle order in a stunning 26-ball period. The Sultans crumbled to just 24 runs, with half their lineup back in the dugout, leaving the lower order exposed.
While Shan Masood tried to hold up the tide with a resolute knock, his efforts weren’t enough. Masood, who had a stellar PSL campaign, played a lone hand, accumulating 56 runs off the last five overs. His ability to find the gap and time the ball effectively kept the scoreboard ticking, but the total of 159 was still their lowest of the season.
The Kingsmen wasted no time in the chase, with Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat putting the target within reach in the first few overs. Even the loss of captain Marnus Labuschagne did little to shake their confidence. The Sultans’ bowlers were unable to stem the flow of runs, with Khan smashing a blistering 64 off 35 balls. His explosive knock left the Sultans scrambling for answers, and by the time the Kingsmen wrapped up the chase, they were comfortably on top, leaving no doubt as to who was the better side on the day.
Sadaqat, too, played his part, bringing up his half-century in just 25 balls, adding more insult to the Sultans’ injury. The Kingsmen made quick work of their target, and with their ruthless performance, they now await Islamabad United, while the Sultans’ journey comes to a bitter end.
