Hyderabad Kingsmen snap Islamabad United's winning streak

Winless in their first four games, Hyderabad Kingsmen secured their second consecutive victory, defeating Islamabad United by six wickets on Sunday (April 12).

Captain Marnus Labuschagne was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 61 off 53 balls, leading the successful chase of 154. Glenn Maxwell, in his second PSL appearance, contributed a brisk cameo, including two sixes, to seal the win.

Kingsmen's bowlers set up the victory by restricting United to 153/9. Despite a strong platform at 105/3 in the 14th over, United suffered a middle-order collapse, only surpassing 150 due to Mark Chapman's 42. Earlier, Devon Conway provided a quick start with 45 off 31 balls, featuring his signature cuts and drives.

The innings lost momentum after back-to-back run-outs of Conway and Mohammad Faiq, with just 23 runs scored between overs 10-15.

Asif Mehmood starred with the ball, taking 4-18, including all four wickets in the final over as United's lower order chased quick runs.

In reply, Maaz Sadaqat launched the chase aggressively, taking 20 runs off Imad Wasim's first over. Labuschagne opened his account with a clever scoop. The pair raised 50 inside five overs before Sadaqat fell to Chris Green, the first spinner introduced.

Labuschagne then anchored the innings with Saim Ayub, playing risk-free cricket with well-timed drives and flicks. A brief stumble saw Kingsmen lose three wickets for five runs, but Labuschagne remained composed, reaching his fifty with another scoop shot. Maxwell's two sixes accelerated the finish, completing the chase with 11 balls to spare.

The win moves Kingsmen to sixth on the points table, while United remain third with seven points.

Brief scores: Islamabad United 153/9 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 45, Mark Chapman 42; Asif Mehmood 4-18, Mohammad Ali 2-26) lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen 157/4 in 18.1 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 61*, Saim Ayub 35; Chris Green 2-19, Faheem Ashraf 2-33) by six wickets.