By News Desk
Lahore : The 11th HBL Pakistan Super League’s crucial match (Second Eliminator) was played between Islamabad United and Hyderabad Kings at Qaddafi Stadium. Hyderabad won after a thrilling contest by 2 runs to reach the final, where they will compete against Peshawar Zalmi.
Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan won the toss and invited Hyderabad Kings to bat first.Hyderabad’s start was disappointing as opener Moaz Sadakat was dismissed without scoring a run on the fourth ball of the first over by Salman Mirza, caught by Richard Gleeson.
After him, Saim Yousuf and captain Marnais Labuschagne supported the team’s total. When the score reached 71 runs in the tenth over, Saim Yousuf, maintaining his usual temperament, played a short shot and was caught at the boundary by Mark Chapman off Chris Green, scoring 38 runs with 7 fours.
Next, captain Marnais Labuschagne played more steadily but was dismissed by Chris Green, scoring 39 runs with 4 fours and a six. Soon after, Glenn Maxwell scored 3 runs before getting out.
Following him, Usman Khan and Kusal Perera played aggressive cricket, taking the team’s total towards a fighting score. The two batters added 101 runs for the third wicket, with Usman Khan scoring an impressive 61 not out with 10 fours, and Kusal Perera adding 37 runs with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Hyderabad Kings finished their innings at the 20-over mark, scoring 186 runs for 4 wickets. From Islamabad United, the most expensive buy in PSL, Fawad Ahmed, proved to be the costliest bowler, giving away 43 runs and taking 1 wicket. Imad Wasim took 2 wickets, and Chris Green took 1.
Islamabad United needed 187 runs to win. They scored 184 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Their batting also started disappointingly, with opener Samir Manohar getting out on the second ball of the second over off Akeef Javed, caught by captain Marnais Labuschagne. He scored only a six.
After him, Mushfiq Riaz came in and played a boundary, but was dismissed lbw off Imran Niaz in the third over, putting the team under pressure. Opener Dwayne Koney tried to lift the team with some boundaries but was dismissed lbw after scoring 30 runs with 3 fours and 1 six.
The team’s score only increased by 11 runs until captain Shadab Khan scored 22 before being caught out by Hasan Ali off Irfan Niazi.
Hyderabad bowlers Hader Ali and Mark Chapman were aggressive, pushing the team towards the target. During this period, Hader Ali scored a valuable 31 runs with 2 fours and 2 sixes before being caught out by Maxwell.
Kusal Perera was rapidly approaching the target with quick scoring when, in the 18th over, Mark Chapman hit 5 fours and 2 sixes, scoring 43 runs and eventually being dismissed.
Following him, Fahim Ashraf and Chris Green kept the chase close. Fahim Ashraf was dismissed for 19 runs by Hasan Ali while attempting a boundary, and Green scored 21 not out with 1 run. Islamabad United finished at 184 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs.
Hyderabad’s bowlers, Hanin Shah and Muhammad Ali, took two wickets each, while Akeef Javed, Hasan Ali, and Saim Yousuf took one wicket each. Hanin Shah was named Player of the Match.
Umpiring was conducted by Ahsan Raza and Sharf-ud-Daula. The TV umpires were Asif Yaqoob, match referee Rashid Mahnamah, with official scorers Zohor Alam, Muhammad Kazzam, and press gallery scorers Muhammad Arif and Waris Bashir.
Now, Hyderabad will face Peshawar Zalmi in the final at Qaddafi Stadium on May 3. 
This story share in whatsapp group ”Press of Pakistan” by Senior Sports Journalist Muhammad Iqbal Harper.
Hyderabad Kings have snatched a guaranteed victory from Islamabad United and secured a place in the final
