Islamabad United’s dugout fell into a morgue-like silence as the final delivery of the game fetched them just one run off a bye. They required six runs in the last over, which was by no means a big ask, especially since they had just hit 22 runs in the previous over.
Hyderabad post 189 in first innings
Batting first, Hyderabad scored 189 runs, once again off Usman Khan’s brilliant 61-run innings as he joined forces with Kusal Perera to post a decent total. Saim Ayub recorded his highest score this season: 38 off 27 balls. The target, however, wasn’t competitive enough, which left Hyderabad’s bowlers with a huge task.
Islamabad lost two wickets within the power play, and their third fell soon after. Shadab Khan and Devon Conway halted the fall of wickets for a while, but did so using up more balls than the team could afford at that point.
Middle-order steps up
Following their departure, the middle-order batters took the task onto themselves and dragged Islamabad into contention once again. Mark Chapman, Haider Ali, and Faheem Ashraf stepped on the gas and took the side within inches of victory.
Even after Chapman and Haider fell, Chris Green and Faheem put Islamabad in a comfortable position, and that was further solidified with a 22-run penultimate over by Mohammad Ali. Hyderabad’s chances were all but dead.
Hunain Shah had all odds stacked against him
Hunain Shah, who up until that point had conceded 35 runs in three overs, was handed the ball with Chris Green and Faheem Ashraf, both batting with a 200-plus strike rate, facing him.
It doesn’t get any better than that when you’re chasing a total to find your way into the final. It also doesn’t get any more difficult than this when you’re defending the total and seeing your hopes disappear by the second.
Hyderabad’s dreamy campaign
Hunain did in his last over what no one in their naivest imagination could have expected. He conceded two singles, a run off a bye, and grabbed a wicket to end Islamabad’s chances. He bowled perfectly concocted yorkers that, like always, didn’t betray him.
The whole Hyderabad dugout poured onto the ground. Captain Marnus Labuschagne was seen roaring at the top of his lungs, moments before he struggled to hide his emotions. Just like that, Hyderabad, who took five games to register their first win of the league, stormed into the final.
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