KARACHI: A brilliant unbeaten half-century from Marnus Labuschagne and a superb four-wicket spell by debutant Asif Mehmood guided Hyderabad Kingsmen to a comfortable six-wicket win over Islamabad United in the 21st match of Pakistan Super League 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 154, the Kingsmen completed the target in 18.1 overs after losing four wickets. The foundation of the chase was laid by opener Maaz Sadaqat, who aggressively took on Imad Wasim in the opening over and helped the team reach 50 inside 4.5 overs. He scored 30 off 16 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed.
After his departure, Saim Ayub and Labuschagne built a crucial 60-run partnership, steering the innings forward. However, the momentum briefly shifted when Kingsmen slipped to 110, losing three quick wickets, including Saim Ayub (35), Usman Khan (1), and Kusal Perera.
At 115 for 4, the match was finely poised, but Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell steadied the chase with an unbeaten 42-run stand from just 22 deliveries. Labuschagne anchored the innings with a composed 61 not out from 53 balls, while Maxwell provided the finishing flourish with 21 off 9 balls.
Earlier, Islamabad United posted 153 for 9 after a mixed batting effort. Devon Conway top-scored with 45, while Mark Chapman added a fighting 42. Despite a strong start of 55 in the first five overs, Islamabad lost momentum due to two crucial run-outs and regular breakthroughs.
Chris Green and Faheem Ashraf picked up two wickets each, but Asif Mehmood’s four-wicket haul proved decisive as Kingsmen sealed a dominant victory.
