3 minute read
Hyderabad Kingsmen continued their late surge, defeating a Multan side stacked with Australians to move within one win of the PSL final.
Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell have moved within one win of a Pakistan Super League final after guiding Hyderabad Kingsmen to an eight-wicket eliminator victory over a Multan Sultans side packed with Australian talent.
Despite modest individual returns, Labuschagne's Kingsmen controlled the contest at Gaddafi Stadium, chasing down 9-159 with ease to finish on 2-162 with 28 balls remaining.
The result marked a sharp turnaround for a side that failed to win any of its opening four matches.
Labuschagne acknowledged the significance of the win, noting the team's recovery from a poor start and praising the group's progress across the tournament.
The captain contributed 11 before falling to a sharp catch from Sahibzada Farhan, but a decisive 100-run second-wicket stand between Usman Khan, 64, and Maaz Sadaqat, 64 not out, ensured there were no late complications in the chase.
Multan, led by Ashton Turner and featuring Steve Smith, Peter Siddle and Josh Philippe, struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat.
Smith, who had posted scores of 56, 106 and 30 in his previous innings, was dismissed for 13 after an early contest with Mohammad Ali. Philippe made six and Turner nine, leaving Multan at 3-51 and under pressure.
A late unbeaten 69 from Shan Masood lifted the total to a competitive level, but it proved insufficient against a composed Hyderabad chase.
Maxwell contributed with the ball, taking 1-28 from three overs, and was not required with the bat. Smith claimed the lone wicket during the chase after being struck for consecutive sixes.
Turner admitted his side had lost momentum late in the tournament and finished with one of their weaker performances.
Hyderabad now face Islamabad United in Friday's second eliminator. The winner will advance to Sunday's final in Lahore against Peshawar Zalmi, who include Australian allrounder Aaron Hardie.
