Hyderabad Kingsmen produced a composed all-round display to outplay RawalPindiz by five wickets, stretching their winning run in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 with a convincing chase at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a modest total, Kingsmen crossed the line with ease in just 16.3 overs, though not without a few early tremors. Their pursuit was anchored by a steady contribution from captain Marnus Labuschagne, followed by a match-defining stand between Kusal Perera and Irfan Khan Niazi.
The innings began on a shaky note when Asif Afridi struck in the opening over, removing Maaz Sadaqat cheaply. Labuschagne attempted to stabilize things alongside Saim Ayub, but Afridi returned to break that partnership, dismissing Ayub after a brisk cameo.
Further pressure mounted when Mohammad Amir removed Usman Khan for a duck during the powerplay, leaving Kingsmen struggling at 28 for three. Labuschagne counterattacked with a fluent 32, laced with boundaries, before falling to Saad Masood, as the chase momentarily hung in the balance.
The situation worsened when Ben Sears dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck, reducing Kingsmen to 68 for five. However, Perera and Irfan Niazi absorbed the pressure expertly, stitching together a crucial 50-run partnership that turned the tide.
Perera’s unbeaten 32, featuring clean hitting, combined with Irfan’s composed 34, ensured there were no further hiccups as Kingsmen sealed the victory comfortably in the 17th over.
Earlier, RawalPindiz struggled to build momentum after being put in to bat, finishing on a below-par 121 for nine. Kingsmen’s bowlers dictated terms right from the outset, with Maxwell striking early to remove Usman Khawaja.
Mohammad Ali then delivered a key breakthrough by clean bowling skipper Mohammad Rizwan, leaving the batting side in early trouble. Hunain Shah compounded the problems by dismissing Daryl Mitchell for a duck, before returning later to claim another wicket as RawalPindiz slipped further.
A brief recovery came through a cautious stand between Yasir Khan and Sam Billings, but the innings never gained real traction. Ali struck again to remove Yasir, while a sharp run-out orchestrated by Labuschagne added to Pindiz’s woes.
Billings tried to revive the innings with a fighting 26, but his dismissal triggered another collapse. Despite late resistance from lower-order batters, RawalPindiz could only muster 121.
Mohammad Ali and Hunain Shah were the standout performers with the ball, picking up three wickets apiece and ensuring Kingsmen remained firmly in control throughout the contest.
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