Lahore, Pakistan – Sports Desk: Young pacer Hunain Shah produced a heroic final-over performance as Hyderabad Kingsmen stunned Islamabad United by two runs in a nerve-wracking Eliminator 2 to book their place in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 final.
Chasing 187 for victory at Gaddafi Stadium, Islamabad United were restricted to 184 for 7, with Hunain Shah defending just six runs in the decisive final over.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted 186 for 5 in their 20 overs. Out-of-form batter Usman Khan played a stunning unbeaten knock of 61 off just 30 balls, including 10 boundaries, benefiting from three dropped catches. Kusal Perera contributed an aggressive 37.
For Islamabad, Mark Chapman top-scored with 43, while Haider Ali made 31. Mohammad Ali and Hunain Shah took two wickets each, conceding 44 and 37 runs respectively.
Dramatic final over
Needing 28 runs off the last two overs with four wickets in hand, the match swung dramatically. Mohammad Ali conceded 22 runs in the 19th over, including consecutive boundaries and a six, leaving Islamabad needing just six runs from the final six balls.
Hunain Shah held his nerve. The first delivery yielded no run. A single brought Faheem Ashraf on strike. After a dot ball, Faheem (19) holed out to Hasan Khan. With two balls left and five needed, Imad Wasim took a single. On the final delivery, Islamabad needed a boundary but could only manage a leg-bye single — handing Kingsmen a famous victory.
Comeback story
Remarkably, Hyderabad Kingsmen lost their first four matches of the tournament but have now won seven of their last eight. They will face Peshawar Zalmi in the final on Sunday.
Earlier in the innings, Hyderabad lost early wickets but recovered through captain Marnus Labuschagne (39) and Saim Ayub (38). Usman Khan’s late fireworks proved decisive despite three reprieves.
The victory sparked wild celebrations among Kingsmen players and support staff, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds in PSL history.
