Hunain Shah’s final-over heroics send Hyderabad Kingsmen into PSL final after two-run thriller

Key facts

• Hyderabad Kingsmen beat Islamabad United by two runs in Eliminator 2 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
• Hunain Shah conceded only three runs in the final over when six were needed, taking the wicket of Faheem Ashraf.
• Usman Khan scored an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, his third successive half-century, lifting Hyderabad to 186-5.
• Hyderabad lost its first four matches of the season but won seven of its last eight, including two playoff wins.
• Hunain Shah, 22, has taken 14 wickets in eight PSL matches at an average of 17.85.
• The Shah family has three fast-bowling brothers: Naseem (23, Pakistan international), Hunain, and Ubaid (20, played for Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2026).

A debut season’s dream finish

Hyderabad Kingsmen, a new franchise in the Pakistan Super League, have reached the final after a nerve-shredding two-run victory over three-time champions Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The win sets up a title clash against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday. The match swung wildly in its final moments. Islamabad United needed just six runs from the last over after Chris Green and Faheem Ashraf smashed 22 runs off the penultimate over, bowled by Mohammad Ali. But Hunain Shah, a 22-year-old fast bowler, delivered a composed final over, conceding only three runs and taking the wicket of Ashraf, who holed out to mid-off. The Kingsmen won by two runs, leaving Islamabad stranded at 184-7.

How the chase unravelled

Chasing 187, Islamabad United lost openers Sameer Minhas and Mohsin Riaz early, slipping to 15-2 inside three overs. Captain Shadab Khan and Devon Conway rebuilt with a 42-run stand before Conway fell for 30 in the eighth over. Shadab struggled for fluency, scoring 22 off 24 balls before departing. Mark Chapman then led a recovery, scoring 43 off 26 balls, and formed a 64-run partnership with Haider Ali, who made a quick 31 off 16 deliveries. Chapman fell in the 18th over, but Faheem Ashraf (19) and Chris Green (21) shifted momentum by hammering 22 runs off Mohammad Ali in the 19th over, reducing the target to six from the final over. However, Hunain Shah’s precise yorkers and the dismissal of Ashraf turned the game.

Hyderabad’s batting recovery

Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted 186-5 after being put in to bat, recovering from a shaky start. Maaz Sadaqat fell for a duck in the first over. Saim Ayub (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (40) steadied the innings with a 70-run partnership before both fell in quick succession, leaving the Kingsmen at 85-4. Usman Khan and Kusal Perera then transformed the innings with a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off 30 balls, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera contributed 37 off 21 deliveries. Their aggressive approach lifted the total beyond 180, setting a competitive target that proved decisive.

Hunain Shah: from heartbreak to redemption

Hunain Shah’s final-over heroics were a redemption arc within the season. Earlier in the tournament, he had failed to defend 14 runs against Peshawar Zalmi, a loss that stung. But in the high-pressure Eliminator 2, he held his nerve, delivering yorkers and forcing errors. His captain, Marnus Labuschagne, said after the match: “I don’t have words to describe what we’ve done today. Hunain Shah stepped in and goes for, what, three in the last over to win the game … I’ve got goosebumps just talking about it.” Hunain, the younger brother of Pakistan international Naseem Shah, has taken 14 wickets in eight PSL matches at an average of 17.85. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Naseem, who made his international debut at 16 and has played 91 matches for Pakistan across formats. The Shah family also includes Ubaid Shah, 20, a promising fast bowler who played for Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2026. Hunain has said there is no rivalry among the three brothers, calling Naseem a role model and inspiration.

A remarkable turnaround for the debutants

Hyderabad Kingsmen’s journey to the final is a story of resilience. The franchise lost its first four matches of the season, and many wrote them off. But they won seven of their last eight games, including two must-win playoffs against Multan Sultans and Islamabad United. The team’s discipline with the ball and ability to recover from early batting collapses have been hallmarks of their campaign. The Kingsmen will now face Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, in the final on Sunday. For Hunain Shah and his teammates, the opportunity to win the title in their debut season is a testament to their grit and the depth of talent in the squad.

What comes next

The PSL final on Sunday will be a clash between two teams with contrasting narratives: the experienced Peshawar Zalmi, seeking their fourth title, and the debutant Hyderabad Kingsmen, who have defied expectations. For the Shah family, a victory would add another chapter to an already remarkable story. If Hunain and Ubaid eventually earn Pakistan caps, the family would produce three international fast bowlers — a unique distinction. Hunain’s father, Abbas Shah, who initially did not want his sons to become cricketers, now follows the game passionately. The brothers live together, and Hunain has said they have never competed over money or fame. As the Kingsmen prepare for the final, the spotlight will be on Hunain Shah, a young bowler who has already shown he can deliver under the highest pressure.

The bottom line

• Hunain Shah’s final over — three runs conceded, one wicket — secured a two-run win and a place in the PSL final for Hyderabad Kingsmen.
• Usman Khan’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls, his third consecutive half-century, lifted Hyderabad to 186-5 after a shaky start.
• Hyderabad lost its first four matches of the season but won seven of its last eight, including two playoff victories.
• Hunain Shah, 22, has taken 14 wickets in eight PSL matches at an average of 17.85, following in the footsteps of his brother Naseem Shah.
• The Shah family has three fast-bowling brothers: Naseem (Pakistan international), Hunain, and Ubaid (played for Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2026).
• Hyderabad Kingsmen will face Peshawar Zalmi in the final on Sunday, seeking to win the title in their debut season.