KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen recorded their second victory in as many days when they defeated pre-tournament favourites Islamabad United by six wickets in the first match of the second half of the Pakistan Super League on Sunday.

Fast bowler Asif Mehmood, making his PSL debut in his first T20 match since September 2022, completed a four-wicket haul at the backend of Islamabad United’s innings as the three-time champions stuttered to 153 for nine after being 89 for three in 10 overs.

Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne, opening the innings for the second successive day, then led his side’s run-chase with a watchful, calculated and fluent 61 not out off 53 balls with six fours as the PSL debutants achieved the 154-run target for the loss of four wickets with 11 balls to spare.

This was Kingsmen’s second win from six matches, drawing them level with Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars — though with one more match played — while United suffered their second defeat in as many matches. Peshawar Zalmi lead the table with nine points from five matches, followed by Multan Sultans on eight. Karachi Kings are fourth on six points.

Asif Mehmood, 30, from Hyderabad, made an immediate impact on his maiden PSL appearance, picking up three wickets in four balls in Islamabad United’s final over to finish with figures of 2-0-18-4. He dismissed Imad Wasim and Mehran Mumtaz on successive deliveries before removing stand-in captain Chris Green on the final ball of the innings. He had earlier removed Mark Chapman, who scored 42 off 30 balls with three fours and two sixes.

The other highlight of Kingsmen’s fielding was the run-outs of Mohammad Faiq and Devon Conway off successive deliveries, which saw United slip from 87 for one to 89 for three and then 113 for five. Hunain Shah and Irfan Khan Niazi, fielding as boundary riders, demonstrated exceptional ground coverage and throwing to leave both batters short of their crease.

Conway finished as top scorer with a 31-ball 45 with seven fours, while Faiq hit a six in a 14-ball 18. Sameer Minhas was the other notable scorer with a 13-ball 22, including three fours and a six.

In their 154-run chase, Kingsmen made a strong start when Maaz Sadaqat (30, 16b, 4×4, 2×6) and Labuschagne put on 50 for the first wicket in five overs. Labuschagne then added 60 for the second wicket with Saim Ayub (35, 26b, 2×4, 2×6) to strengthen his side’s grip on the match.

Although Kingsmen slipped from 110 for one to 115 for four, Glenn Maxwell demonstrated his value with two sixes and a four in a nine-ball 21. He was fortunate early on when Faiq failed to convert a half-chance at mid-off that could have ended the Australian’s innings and made the game more interesting.

Two personal milestones were achieved during the match. Faheem Ashraf became the fifth bowler to take 100 PSL wickets, joining Hasan Ali (134), Shaheen Shah Afridi (132), Wahab Riaz (113) and Shadab Khan (112), while Glenn Maxwell became the third Australian batter to complete 12,000 T20 runs.

Scores in brief:

21st Match – Hyderabad Kingsmen beat Islamabad United by six wickets

ISLAMABAD UNITED 153-9, 20 overs (Devon Conway 45, Mark Chapman 42, Sameer Minhas 22, Mohammad Faiq 18, Asif Mehmood 4-18, Mohammad Ali 2-26)

HYDERABAD KINGSMEN 157-4, 18.1 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 61 not out, Sami Ayub 35, Maaz Sadaqat 30, Glenn Maxwell 21 not out; Chris Green 2-19, Faheem Ashraf 2-33)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen)

MONDAY’S FIXTURE: Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi