Hyderabad Kingsmen continued their extraordinary PSL 2026 run with a ruthlessly dominant performance in Eliminator 1 at Lahore, crushing Multan Sultans by 8 wickets with 28 balls remaining to advance to the semi-finals. Multan, despite a fighting 69 from Shan Masood in a collapsing innings, could only post 159/9 — a total that Hyderabad devoured with breathtaking ease. Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat put on a century stand in 52 balls to effectively end the contest before the halfway stage of the chase, with Sadaqat finishing unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls to claim a richly deserved Player of the Match award. For Hyderabad Kingsmen, a side that qualified for the knockouts in the most dramatic fashion, this was a statement of arrival on the biggest PSL stage.

Multan Sultans Innings: Masood Fights a Lonely Battle

Multan Sultans — one of the tournament's most consistent batting sides during the group stage — had a horrific evening with the bat in the eliminator. Three wickets fell inside the powerplay while scoring just 47 runs, an implosion that immediately put them under enormous pressure against a Hyderabad bowling attack full of confidence and aggression.

Two DRS batting reviews in quick succession — for JR Philippe in over 4.3 and Arafat Minhas in over 7.1 — were both struck down, denying Multan any breathing space as wickets continued to tumble. By the strategic timeout Multan were in deep crisis at 92/6 in 13 overs, with Shan Masood virtually alone in trying to build something meaningful from the wreckage.

Masood was exceptional in defeat. He batted with calm authority and growing aggression, bringing up his fifty off 36 balls — 2 fours and 3 sixes — in an innings that single-handedly kept Multan's total competitive. However, with no significant support from either end, the captain could only carry the innings so far. Multan reached 100 in 14.4 overs and 150 in 19.1 overs, Masood finishing on 69 — top score by a distance — as Multan closed on a disappointing 159/9. It was a total that felt at least 30 runs below par given the quality of their batting roster, and one that offered Hyderabad a golden opportunity.

Hyderabad Kingsmen Chase: Usman and Sadaqat Demolish Multan

If Multan's batting had been a disappointment, Hyderabad's reply was a masterclass. The powerplay produced 67/1 — aggressive, controlled and full of intent — as Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan came together following an early wicket and proceeded to dismantle the Multan bowling attack with breathtaking efficiency.

The second-wicket partnership was the match in microcosm — explosive, relentless and utterly decisive. The stand reached 50 in just 25 balls and 100 in 52 balls, a partnership of the highest quality that made the chase look embarrassingly simple. Usman Khan brought up his fifty off 29 balls — 8 fours and 1 six — his fourth significant innings of the PSL 2026 campaign and further confirmation that he is the most dangerous T20 batter in Pakistan right now. Hyderabad reached 100 in 9.3 overs and 150 in 14.4 overs, the required rate never climbing to a level that caused the slightest concern.

Maaz Sadaqat then completed his own fifty off just 25 balls — 3 fours and 3 sixes — a knock of exceptional quality and timing that kept the run rate flying even after Usman's departure. At the strategic timeout Hyderabad were 157/2 in 15 overs with Sadaqat on 64 and the game won. They crossed the line at 162/2 in 15.2 overs — 8 wickets in hand, 28 balls to spare — as the Hyderabad dugout erupted in celebration of a semi-final berth.

Key Moments

  • Multan's catastrophic 47/3 powerplay ended their innings as a competitive contest before it had properly begun.
  • Both Multan DRS batting reviews — Philippe and Minhas — being struck down denied them any momentum in the middle overs.
  • Shan Masood's 69 was a captain's innings of real quality but ultimately a lonely effort in a collapsing total.
  • The Usman-Sadaqat 100-run second-wicket stand in 52 balls was the partnership that sealed the match and the semi-final spot.
  • Maaz Sadaqat's 25-ball fifty was one of the finest knockout innings of PSL 2026.
  • Usman Khan's fourth impactful innings of the tournament confirmed his status as Hyderabad's match-winner across all formats of the competition.

Hyderabad Kingsmen march into the PSL 2026 semi-finals in the most emphatic fashion possible. From qualifying with the skin of their teeth to dismantling one of the tournament's strongest sides in the eliminator — this Kingsmen side is playing the best cricket of their short PSL history. Multan Sultans' campaign ends in disappointment, with Steven Smith's mid-tournament departure of form and a batting collapse at the worst possible moment proving ultimately fatal to their trophy hopes.