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KARACHI: Usman Khan’s record ton guided Hyderabad Kingsmen to a four-wicket win over Multan Sultans in a run-fest during the 33rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Kingsmen chased down a massive 214-run target in the final over, losing six wickets in the process. Usman top-scored with 101 from 47 balls, laced with five fours and 10 sixes.
After losing Maaz Sadaqat in the second over, Saim Ayub and Marnus Labuschagne stabilised the innings with a 34-run partnership, with the latter scoring most of the runs.
However, Mohammad Ismail struck twice in the final over of the powerplay to derail the chase. He was on a hat-trick and nearly had Usman Khan caught behind, but Sultans decided against the review.
As a result, Kingsmen were reduced to 48-3.
From there, Usman and Labuschagne turned the game around with a match-winning 123-run stand off 64 balls. Usman played the core aggressor role while Labuschagne played the second fiddle as the pair rebuilt the innings at a strong tempo.
The pair raised the team’s century in the 10th over and kept the momentum going. There was not enough for Sultan’s bowlers, who could scratch their heads in front of Usman, who took Arafat Minhas to the cleaners in the 14th over, smashing three sixes to bring the equation down to 61 from 36 balls.
Despite losing Marnus Labuschagne for 61 off 41 balls (nine fours), Kingsmen remained in control of the chase.
Peter Siddle swung the contest back briefly in the 18th over, removing Usman and Glenn Maxwell (2) to bring his side back into the game.
But Hasan Khan’s explosive cameo of 24 off six balls sealed the victory in the third ball of the final over.
For Multan Sultans, Peter Siddle and Muhammad Ismail shared six wickets between them.
Earlier, Belligerent Steve Smith’s century propelled Multan Sultans to a commanding total
Asked to bat first, the Sultans posted 213-7 in 20 overs, headlined by Smith’s century and an imposing opening partnership.
The opening pair of Farhan and Smith put on a batting show, forging a 132-run stand in 12.3 overs.
Sahibzada hit five sixes and four boundaries before getting caught on 66 from 43 balls. Meanwhile, Smith carried on and took the attack to the Kingsmen bowlers.
He was involved in a 53-run partnership with Josh Philippe, with Smith doing the bulk of the scoring, including a 28-run over off Hunain Shah to bring up his maiden PSL hundred.
The right-hander batter eventually departed for 106 from 50 balls, including six maximums and 12 fours.
Hyderabad Kingsmen bowlers did well in the final three overs to curtail the scoring rate and keep Sultans to 213.
For Kingsmen, Hassan Khan remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up one wicket while giving away only 28
