KARACHI: Islamabad United produced a breathtaking all-round performance to demolish Hyderabad Kingsmen by eight wickets in the 36th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) at the National Bank Stadium on Friday, sealing their spot in the playoffs with a match to spare.
Chasing a meager target of just 81 runs after bowling out the Kingsmen for a paltry 80, United chased down the total in only 6.4 overs, finishing at 83 for 2 and winning with a staggering 80 balls remaining.
Islamabad United register a convincing victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen!#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #HKvIU pic.twitter.com/M1Fn7E98Ji
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 24, 2026
United bowlers set the tone early
Earlier, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Fast bowler Richard Gleeson ripped through the top order, removing Maaz Sadaqat for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings, followed by Marnus Labuschagne (5) and Saim Ayub (12). Gleeson finished with exceptional figures of 3 for 9 from his three overs.
Shadab Khan then spun his web, claiming three crucial wickets for just 13 runs, dismissing Kusal Perera (12), Irfan Khan (9), and Hassan Khan (0).
Veteran left-arm spinner Imad Wasim also picked up three wickets (3 for 21), cleaning up the lower order to bowl Hyderabad out for 80 in 15.5 overs. Usman Khan remained unbeaten on 25 off 35 balls, but found no support from the other end.
𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐙𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐢 ☑️
𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 ☑️
𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 ☑️Three playoffs spots sealed as United become the latest entrant 🙌🏼#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #HKvIU pic.twitter.com/Kd8NBm1TBM
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 24, 2026
Run chase turned into a formality
In reply, Islamabad United lost opener Devon Conway for a duck on the second ball of the innings, caught by Maaz Sadaqat off Mohammad Ali. However, that was the only joy for the Kingsmen’s bowlers.
Mohsin Riaz in beast mode against Hunain Shah 🔥#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #HKvIU pic.twitter.com/CUBXW2JBaG
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 24, 2026
Young batter Sameer Minhas played a composed knock of 27 not out off just 20 balls, hitting three fours and a six. But the star of the chase was Mohsin Riaz, who smashed a blistering 42 off only 18 deliveries, including six boundaries and two towering sixes. Shadab Khan finished the match in style, hitting a four off the first ball he faced to remain unbeaten on 4.
Mohammad Ali was the only successful bowler for Hyderabad, taking 2 for 29, while Hunain Shah and Hassan Khan proved expensive.
It’s game on from the first ball 🔥#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #HKvIU pic.twitter.com/WCj6leRLDw
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 24, 2026
What the result means
With this emphatic victory, Islamabad United climb to 11 points from nine games and officially qualify for the PSL 11 playoffs. For Hyderabad Kingsmen, the defeat ends their four-match winning streak and severely dents their chances of progressing further, leaving them reliant on other results.
United will now head into the knockout stages with massive confidence, having dominated one of the tournament’s in-form sides in every department.
