KARACHI: A sensational bowling display from Peshawar Zalmi’s spinners saw Hyderabad Kingsmen bundled out for just 145 runs in their third match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, played on Wednesday at the National Bank Stadium.
Batting first, the Kingsmen struggled to build momentum and were dismissed in 18.2 overs.
Peshawar Zalmi bundle out Hyderabad Kingsmen for 145 in 18.2 overs with Iftikhar Ahmed taking brilliant figures of 4-21.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #HKvPZ pic.twitter.com/oGnueMWpTr
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 8, 2026
Promising start cut short
The innings began positively, with openers Maaz Sadaqat and Saim Ayush putting together a quick 26-run stand. However, the partnership was broken in the third over when Iftikhar Ahmed removed Sadaqat for a brisk 17 off eight balls, featuring three boundaries.
Iftikhar struck twice in his next over, sending back Saim Ayub for 14 off 15 deliveries and then removing Usman Khan for a golden duck. Within 4.3 overs, Hyderabad found themselves in deep trouble at 33-3.
The spinner continued his destructive spell by clean bowling Sharjeel Khan for just two runs off five balls, leaving the Kingsmen reeling.
Mid-innings recovery
Captain Marnus Labuschagne and Kusal Perera then joined forces to resurrect the innings. The pair built a vital 50-run partnership, guiding Hyderabad past the 100-run mark.
Their resistance ended when Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Labuschagne for a steady 27 off 27 balls, which included three boundaries. At that stage, the scoreboard read 116-5 in 14.1 overs.
Iftikhar Ahmed running the show 🔥#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #HKvPZ pic.twitter.com/SVCIAxX2D5
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 8, 2026
Perera’s heroics not enough
Kusal Perera continued to impress, bringing up his third PSL half-century with a well-crafted knock. But Muqeem returned in the death overs to wreak havoc on the lower order.
In a single over, he removed Irfan Khan Niazi for nine, then trapped Perera for a brilliant 58 off 35 balls (five fours and two sixes), and finally bowled Maheesh Theekshana for a duck.
Hunain Shah was run out without facing a ball after a direct hit from Farhan Yousuf, while Hassan Khan managed nine runs before becoming Aamer Jamal’s only wicket of the innings.
Bowling stars
Iftikhar Ahmed finished with outstanding figures of 4/21 from his four overs, while Sufiyan Muqeem matched him with 4/32. Aamer Jamal chipped in with one wicket to complete the rout.
