KARACHI, April 11 – Hyderabad Kingsmen registered their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) victory with a four-wicket win over Karachi Kings at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday, successfully chasing a competitive total in a tense finish.
The result marked a breakthrough for the Kingsmen in their debut PSL campaign after suffering four consecutive defeats earlier in the tournament.
Chasing 189, Hyderabad made an aggressive start as captain Marnus Labuschagne struck a rapid 26 off 10 balls before falling early. Opener Maaz Sadaqat and wicketkeeper Usman Khan then accelerated the innings with a 60-run partnership off just 30 deliveries, keeping the chase on track.
Sadaqat top-scored with 37 off 29 balls, while Usman contributed 27 from 13 balls. However, their dismissals triggered a middle-order collapse, with Saim Ayub and Glenn Maxwell also departing cheaply as Hyderabad slipped to 112-5.
The momentum shifted again when Irfan steadied the innings alongside Kusal Perera, adding a crucial partnership before Perera was dismissed for 17. Irfan then combined with Hassan Khan in a decisive unbroken 50-run stand that guided Hyderabad to victory in the final over.
Hassan played a match-winning knock of 33 off 16 deliveries, earning Player of the Match honours, while Irfan remained unbeaten on 29.
For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi led the bowling effort with two wickets, while Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Adam Zampa and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Karachi Kings posted 188-8 after being put in to bat, despite losing Reeza Hendricks early. Salman Ali Agha and Muhammad Waseem rebuilt the innings with a steady partnership before both fell in quick succession.
Saad Baig anchored the innings with a composed 53 off 37 balls, forming a 69-run stand with Azam Khan. The highlight of Karachi’s innings came from Moeen Ali, who smashed 44 off just 16 deliveries, including five sixes, to boost the total in the final overs.
Hyderabad’s bowling was led by Hunain Shah, who took 3-19, while Mohammad Ali chipped in with two wickets.
The victory provides Hyderabad Kingsmen with crucial momentum in the tournament, while Karachi Kings will look to regroup after failing to defend a strong total.