Kingsmen cruise past Sultans to book Eliminator 2 spot

The Hyderabad Kingsmen secured a place in Eliminator 2 following their convincing eight-wicket win over the Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 on Wednesday, April 29. An all-round bowling effort crippled the Sultans before fifties from Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan saw the Kingsmen chase the 160-run target with ease.

Asked to bat first, the Sultans found themselves in trouble early after being reduced to 36/3 inside the Powerplay. That quickly turned to 51/4 and 52/5 in the overs that followed. Wickets continued to tumble all while Shan Masood remained resolute at one end. His 33-run stand with Mohammad Nawaz kept the Sultans going before a 34-run stand with Faisal Akram, of which Masood struck 27, provided some essential flourish at the death. Still, the Sultans could only sputter to 159/9 in 20 overs with Masood remaining unbeaten on 69. All of Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed and Hunain Shah picked up two wickets each.

The Kingsmen hardly set a foot wrong in the chase. Muhammad Ismail removed Marnus Labuschagne early but the dismissal marked the beginning of a defining 102-run stand between Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan. The duo appeared at fluent ease and ensured that their side never lost control. Both finished with 64, with Sadaqat remaining unbeaten as they completed the chase in just 15.2 overs.

The Kingsmen will face Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday, May 1.

Brief Scores: Multan Sultans 159/9 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 69*; Akif Javed 2-30, Hunain Shah 2-31, Mohammad Ali 2-34) lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen 162/2 in 15.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 64*, Usman Khan 64; Muhammad Ismail 1-22, Steven Smith 1-14) by eight wickets.