LAHORE: Debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen pulled off a sensational two-run victory over Islamabad United in a nerve-shredding Eliminator 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, booking their place in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi.
Chasing 187 for victory, United managed 184, agonisingly falling just two runs short in a last-ball thriller that swung wildly until the very end.
Hyderabad Kingsmen storm into the final of HBL PSL 11 with a nerve-wracking performance in the Eliminator 2.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #IUvHK pic.twitter.com/5nf0y5i6ZW
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 1, 2026
United’s chase: A rollercoaster from start to finish
Islamabad United’s pursuit got off to a shaky start. Sameer Minhas fell for 6 in the second over, and Mohsin Riaz departed for 5 soon after, leaving United at 15 for 2.
Devon Conway (30 off 25) and captain Shadab Khan (22 off 24) attempted to rebuild with a 42-run partnership, but both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving United struggling at 68 for 4 in the 11th over.
Mark Chapman then produced a fighting 43 off 26 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes), while Haider Ali smashed 31 off 16 (2 fours, 2 sixes) to keep United in the hunt. A 64-run fifth-wicket stand between the pair reignited hopes.
However, with 15 runs needed off the last two overs, Hunain Shah struck twice – removing Chapman and then Faheem Ashraf (19 off 11) on the fourth ball of the final over.
Chris Green smashed a quick 21 off 9 balls (3 fours, 1 six), but with 3 runs needed off the last ball, Green could only manage a single of Hunain Shah as United fell two runs short.
WHAT A BREATHTAKING GAME!
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s fairytale journey continues in HBL PSL 11 as they beat Islamabad United by a mere two runs.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #IUvHK pic.twitter.com/D5NV0FMt5d
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 1, 2026
Kingsmen’s bowling heroes
Hunain Shah and Mohammad Ali were the standout bowlers for Hyderabad, each claiming a crucial two wickets each while maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
Hunain Shah was the pick of the Hyderabad bowlers, conceding 37 runs from his four overs while claiming two crucial wickets including the final overs to defend only six runs.
📸 from #IUvHK second innings#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/kb4JUKMrUR
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) May 1, 2026
Hassan Khan and Saim Ayub both returned economical figures of 4 overs for 31 runs, with each taking one wicket apiece. Mohammad Ali also picked up two wickets, though he proved more expensive, leaking 44 runs from his four overs.
Hyderabad Kingsmen will now face table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 11 final on Sunday (May 3). Zalmi qualified directly after their emphatic 70-run victory over United in the Qualifier.
The Kingsmen, who entered the playoffs as debutants and scraped through on net run rate, have now beaten two former champions, Multan Sultans and Islamabad United, to reach their first-ever final.
