Islamabad United booked their place in the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League season 11 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kings at the National Stadium Karachi on Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 81, Islamabad comfortably reached the total in the seventh over, losing just two wickets to complete a one-sided contest.
Young batter Mohsin Riaz led the chase with a fluent 42, while Sameer Minhas remained unbeaten on 27 as Islamabad wrapped up victory with ease.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kings were bowled out for 80 in 15.5 overs after a dominant display by Islamabad’s bowling attack.
After winning the toss, Islamabad captain Shadab Khan elected to field first, a decision that paid immediate dividends as Hyderabad’s batting line-up crumbled under sustained pressure.
The side was bowled out in 15.5 overs following a top-order collapse that left them unable to recover.
Usman Khan top-scored with an unbeaten 25, while Asif Mahmood and Saim Ayub chipped in with 12 runs each.
The rest of the batting line-up failed to offer resistance, with Irfan Khan making 9 and captain Marnus Labuschagne scoring 5.
Glenn Maxwell and Hunain Shah managed just one run apiece, while Moaz Sadaqat, Hasan Khan, and Mohammad Ali were dismissed without scoring.
Islamabad’s bowling unit shared the spoils, with Richard Gleeson, Shadab Khan, and Imad Wasim taking three wickets each, while Salman Mirza claimed one.
The comprehensive victory confirmed Islamabad United’s qualification for the playoffs.
United have made two changes. Mohammad Hasnain and Mohammad Faiq are out of the XI.
Mohsin Riaz and Salman Mirza are included to play instead.
Playing XIs
Hyderabad Kingsmen: 1 Maaz Sadakat, 2 Marnus Labuschagne (capt.), 3 Saim Ayub, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Usman Khan (wk), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Irfan Khan, 8 Hassan Khan, 9 Asif Mehmood, 10 Hunain Shah, 11 Mohammed Ali
Islamabad United: 1 Devon Conway, 2 Sameer Minhas, 3 Mohsin Riaz, 4 Shadab Khan (capt.), 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Haider Ali, 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Chris Green, 9 Imad Wasim, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Richard Gleeson