In a gripping PSL 11 encounter, Hyderabad Kingsmen pulled off a remarkable victory by chasing down a challenging total of 214 set by Multan Sultans. The Kingsmen reached the target with six wickets down and three balls remaining, largely due to Usman’s record-breaking fourth century of the tournament.
The chase started precariously for Hyderabad as Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for seven in the second over, with the team score at just 13. Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub then steadied the innings, adding 34 runs for the second wicket before Ayub fell for five, trapped by Mohammad Ismail. Ismail struck again immediately, removing Kusal Perera for a golden duck, leaving the Kingsmen struggling at 48-3.
Usman, however, changed the momentum after surviving an early reprieve. He built a vital 123-run partnership with captain Labuschagne, both reaching half-centuries. Labuschagne scored 61 off 41 balls before being dismissed by Peter Siddle in the 16th over. Usman maintained his aggressive form, completing his century on the last ball of the 17th over. Despite Siddle’s comeback in the 18th over, taking the wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Usman—who finished with a blistering 101 off 47 balls, including 10 sixes and five fours—the Kingsmen remained in contention.
With 26 runs required from the final two overs, Hassan Khan’s rapid 24 runs steered Hyderabad to a thrilling win with three balls to spare. For Multan Sultans, Siddle and Ismail were the standout bowlers, each claiming three wickets.
Earlier, the decision by Hyderabad Kingsmen’s captain Labuschagne to field first backfired as Multan Sultans posted a formidable 213-7 in their 20 overs. The innings was highlighted by Steve Smith’s explosive century and Sahibzada Farhan’s valuable half-century, which propelled the total to a daunting target.
Openers Farhan and Smith laid a strong foundation with a record 132-run partnership. Farhan scored 66 off 43 balls, striking four fours and five sixes, while Smith dominated with an impressive 106 runs from 50 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes.
Hyderabad’s bowlers struggled to contain the Sultans’ batting lineup throughout most of the innings. However, Akif Javed made a significant impact in the closing overs by taking three wickets, while Mohammad Ali, Hunain Shah, Hasan Khan, and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with one wicket each.
Usman’s match-winning century earned him the Player of the Match award in this thrilling contest.
