Hyderabad Kingsmen continued their turnaround in PSL 2026 with a five-wicket win over Rawalpindiz in Karachi, handing their opponents a sixth consecutive defeat. The victory lifted Kingsmen to fourth place after a difficult start to the season, while Rawalpindiz remained at the bottom of the table.
Kingsmen Restrict Rawalpindiz to 121
A disciplined bowling effort set up the win, as Kingsmen limited Rawalpindiz to 121/9 on a challenging surface. Hunain Shah and Mohammad Ali led the attack with figures of 3/18 and 3/21 respectively, supported by tight spells that kept the scoring rate under control throughout the innings.
Rawalpindiz struggled to build momentum, with their run rate held below five for most of the innings. The powerplay yielded just 24 runs, the lowest of the season, and the side only reached 50 in 11.1 overs, the slowest progression in this edition.
Sam Billings top-scored with 26, but regular wickets disrupted any chance of acceleration. The bowling unit combined variations and disciplined lengths effectively, ensuring Rawalpindiz never recovered.
Chase Tested Before Late Recovery
The pursuit of 122 was not without its challenges. Kingsmen found themselves in trouble at 69/5 after quick strikes from Rawalpindiz’s bowlers, including an early spell from Asif Afridi that removed Maaz Sadaqat and Saim Ayub while conceding just 10 runs in three overs.
Mohammad Amir also struck in the powerplay, dismissing Usman Khan, as Rawalpindiz briefly threatened to pull off an upset.
Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings with 32 off 21 balls before falling at the end of the ninth over. Glenn Maxwell departed without scoring soon after, leaving Kingsmen under pressure.
Irfan and Perera Guide Kingsmen Home
The turning point came through an unbeaten 54-run partnership between Irfan Khan and Kusal Perera. Irfan finished on 34* off 29 balls, while Perera remained unbeaten on 32* off 24 deliveries.
With only 53 required from 64 balls when the pair came together, they focused on rotating the strike and adapting to the conditions before accelerating once settled. Their measured approach ensured Kingsmen reached 123/5 with 21 balls remaining.
Kingsmen Build Momentum
The result marked Kingsmen’s third consecutive win, moving them into the top four after beginning the season with four straight defeats. Rawalpindiz, meanwhile, continued to struggle, remaining winless with six losses and a negative net run rate.
Brief Scores:
- Rawalpindiz: 121/9 (20 overs)
- Sam Billings 26
- Hunain Shah 3-18, Mohammad Ali 3-21
- Hyderabad Kingsmen: 123/5 (16.3 overs)
- Irfan Khan 34*, Kusal Perera 32*, Marnus Labuschagne 32
- Asif Afridi 2-20
Kingsmen’s ability to adapt to the conditions and execute with both bat and ball proved decisive, with key contributions from both experienced players and emerging talents.
