Hyderabad Kingsmen beat Karachi Kings for first PSL 11 win

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen registered their first victory of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after defeating Karachi Kings by four wickets in the 20th match at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The win was a landmark result for Hyderabad in their debut PSL campaign, coming after four straight losses against Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi.

Set a target of 189, Hyderabad completed the chase in the final over after a fluctuating innings in which Muhammad Irfan Khan and Hassan Khan guided the side home with an unbeaten 50-run partnership.

Hyderabad made a brisk start, led by captain Marnus Labuschagne, who struck 26 from 10 balls. His innings ended in the third over when Khushdil Shah dismissed him with the score at 36.

Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan then kept the scoring rate high through a 60-run stand that came off 30 deliveries. Sadaqat made 37 off 29 balls, including four fours and two sixes, while Usman hit 27 from 13 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Karachi, however, pulled things back with quick wickets. Saim Ayub was out for six and Glenn Maxwell managed only two as Hyderabad slipped to 112 for five in 11.4 overs after appearing well placed.

Kusal Perera and Irfan Khan added 27 runs for the sixth wicket before Perera fell for 17, leaving the lower order to finish the job. Hassan Khan then took on the more attacking role, scoring 33 off 16 balls, while Irfan Khan remained unbeaten on 29 from 20 deliveries to seal the chase.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi returned figures of 2 for 30. Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Adam Zampa and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each.

Karachi post 188 for 8

Earlier, Karachi Kings made 188 for 8 after being sent in to bat.

The innings began poorly as Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for two in the opening over. Salman Ali Agha and Muhammad Waseem then steadied the innings with a 45-run partnership.

Hunain Shah provided the breakthrough for Hyderabad, removing Salman at the end of the powerplay and then dismissing Waseem for 25 to leave Karachi at 59 for three.

Saad Baig and Azam Khan rebuilt with a 69-run partnership before Labuschagne broke the stand by dismissing Azam for 26.

Karachi accelerated sharply through Moeen Ali, who struck 44 off 16 balls and hit five sixes before being dismissed in the penultimate over. Baig anchored the innings with 53 off 37 deliveries before retiring out, helping Karachi reach a competitive total despite losing wickets at intervals.

Hunain Shah was Hyderabad’s most successful bowler with 3 for 19, while Mohammad Ali took two wickets. Labuschagne also picked up one wicket.

The result left Karachi Kings with a second successive defeat, while Hyderabad Kingsmen opened their account in PSL 11 with a successful chase under pressure.