Lahore, Pakistan (AP) — Fast bowler Hunain Shah delivered a brilliant final over against three-time champion Islamabad United, helping Hyderabad Kingsmen secure a thrilling two-run victory and advance to the Pakistan Super League final on Friday.
Islamabad needed just one run per ball in the last over, but Shah stayed calm, delivering yorkers that restricted them to only three runs. This left Islamabad stranded at 184-7.
Usman Khan’s unbeaten 61, his third straight half-century, supported by Kusal Perera’s quick 37 off 21 balls, powered Hyderabad to a total of 186-5.
Islamabad’s Chris Green (21) and Faheem Ashraf (19) reduced the target to six with a strong partnership in the penultimate over. However, Shah conceded only one run from his first three deliveries. Ashraf was caught at mid-off, and Shah bowled two more yorkers to dismiss Imad Wasim and Green, denying Islamabad victory.
Hyderabad captain Marnus Labuschagne praised Shah’s performance: “I don’t have words to describe what we’ve done today. It looked like we were going to win comfortably, but then it all came down to Hunain Shah stepping up in the last over … I get goosebumps just talking about it.”
Despite losing four games at the start of their debut season, Hyderabad staged a remarkable turnaround, winning seven of their last eight matches, including crucial playoff victories against Multan Sultans and Islamabad.
Hyderabad will face Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi in the final on Sunday.