Clinical bowling display and explosive fifties from Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat power Kingsmen into clash with Islamabad United

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Hyderabad Kingsmen delivered a commanding all-round performance to eliminate Multan Sultans from the tournament, chasing down a target of 160 with eight wickets in hand and 28 balls to spare. The emphatic victory sends the Kingsmen into Qualifier 2, where they will face Islamabad United for a place in the final against Peshawar Zalmi.

Coming into the match with strong momentum—five wins in their last six games—the Kingsmen looked unstoppable. Their bowling attack set the tone early, dismantling the Sultans’ batting lineup with precision. The pace trio of Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed, and Hunain Shah applied relentless pressure, triggering a collapse that saw half the side dismissed for just 24 runs in a 26-ball stretch.

Despite the early damage, Shan Masood stood tall for the Sultans, producing a resilient innings filled with elegant strokeplay. His calculated aggression, particularly through the covers, helped him amass the bulk of the runs as he scored heavily in the death overs. Masood’s late flourish accounted for 56 runs in the final five overs, pushing the total to 159—though it remained the team’s lowest score of the season.

In response, the Kingsmen made light work of the chase. After the early dismissal of captain Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat took complete control. The duo launched a fierce assault during the Powerplay, collecting 49 runs in the final four overs to put the Sultans on the back foot.

Usman Khan led the charge with a blistering 64 off 35 balls, bringing up his half-century in just 29 deliveries. He targeted the bowlers with confidence, including a punishing over against Mohammad Nawaz. Maaz Sadaqat complemented him perfectly, reaching his own fifty in just 25 balls and maintaining the aggressive tempo.

The Sultans struggled to find answers, rotating through eight bowlers in a desperate attempt to break the partnership. However, the Kingsmen’s dominance continued until the end, sealing victory comfortably in the 16th over.

With this win, Hyderabad Kingsmen reinforce their status as serious title contenders, carrying momentum into a high-stakes Qualifier 2 showdown.