Hassan, Irfan steer Hyderabad Kingsmen to first PSL win over Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Hassan Khan and Irfan Khan guided Hyderabad Kingsmen to their first victory of the HBL Pakistan Super League season, helping their side chase down 189 against Karachi Kings in the match billed as the Sindh Derby at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

Hyderabad Kingsmen, who had lost their first four matches, completed the chase in 19.1 overs for the loss of six wickets to win by four wickets. Hassan remained unbeaten on 33 and Irfan finished not out on 29 after the pair came together with their team in trouble at 139-6.

With 50 still required at that stage, the chase appeared to be slipping away after a collapse in the middle overs. However, Hassan and Irfan rebuilt the innings and then accelerated at the right time to take their side home. The winning run came after the scores were levelled in the final over.

Captain Marnus Labuschagne gave Hyderabad an aggressive start with 26 off 10 balls, striking two sixes and three fours before he was dismissed by Khushdil Shah, with Abbas Afridi taking the catch. Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan then added 96 for the second wicket to keep the chase on course. Usman made 27 off 13 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while Maaz scored 37.

Karachi then pulled things back. Saim Ayub, batting lower down the order, was bowled by Salman Ali Agha for six. Glenn Maxwell, playing his first PSL match, managed two off seven balls before he was caught by a substitute fielder off Abbas. Kusal Perera added 17 before Hasan Ali dismissed him, leaving Hyderabad under pressure before Hassan and Irfan turned the match around.

Karachi post 188-8 after Moeen cameo

Earlier, Karachi Kings made 188-8 in their 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks fell for two, but Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Waseem added useful runs in the powerplay to rebuild the innings.

Hunain Shah was the standout bowler for Hyderabad, taking 3-19 in four overs. His wickets included Mohammad Waseem, who was trapped lbw for 25, and Salman, who made 24 before being caught by Maaz Sadaqat. Abbas Afridi was also dismissed by Hunain for nought.

Saad Baig top-scored with 53 off 37 balls and put together important partnerships, including one with Azam Khan, who made 26. Moeen Ali, leading Karachi in the match, then provided late impetus with 44 off 16 balls, an innings that included five sixes. He was caught by Labuschagne off Mohammad Ali in the 19th over.

Saad was retired out after reaching his half-century, the first such instance in PSL history. Khushdil Shah was run out for seven, while Hasan Ali remained unbeaten on one at the close.

Besides Hunain’s three wickets, Mohammad Ali took 2-35. Labuschagne also claimed one wicket, dismissing Azam Khan.

Score summary

Karachi Kings were bowled out in effect for 188-8 in 20 overs, with Saad Baig making 53, Moeen Ali 44, Azam Khan 26, Mohammad Waseem 25 and Salman Ali Agha 24. For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Hunain Shah returned 3-19 and Mohammad Ali took 2-35.

In reply, Hyderabad Kingsmen reached 189-6 in 19.1 overs. Maaz Sadaqat scored 37, Hassan Khan made an unbeaten 33, Irfan Khan remained not out on 29, Usman Khan contributed 27 and Labuschagne struck 26. For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi took 2-30, while Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Adam Zampa and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each.

Hassan Khan was named man of the match.