Hunain Shah Defends 6 in the 20th | Kingsmen Reach PSL Final!

Many times in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), we have seen such matches that keep the fans excited till the last ball. But what happened in Eliminator 2 of PSL 11 will be remembered for ages. This match was between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United, where a young blood, Hunain Shah, did what even the best bowlers shy away from doing.

The match was at such a stage where there was no scope for mistakes. Islamabad United had to chase the target of 187 runs to win. At one point, it seemed as if the Hyderabad Kingsmen had taken a firm grip on the match, but then drama ensued. Needing 28 runs from the final 12 balls, Muhammad Ali came on to bowl. Islamabad's batsmen looted 22 runs in that over! The match had completely tilted in Islamabad United's favor. Only six runs were needed from the penultimate over, and two established batsmen, Chris Green and finisher Faheem Ashraf, were at the crease.

Who knew that these six balls would become the 12th turning point in the PSL's history?

That historic over of Hunain Shah

Captain Marnus Labuschagne handed the ball to young Hunain Shah. The stadium was noisy, the fans were worried, but there was a strange excitement on Hunain's face.

First Ball: Hunain bowled a perfectly crisp yorker. Chris Green was completely beaten. Dot ball! Fans' hopes were raised.

Second Ball: Green took a single on the next ball and gave the strike to Faheem Ashraf. Now, 5 runs were needed from 4 balls.

Third Ball: Hunain bowled a wide yorker with a swing. Faheem Ashraf tried to swing the ball, but the ball went straight into the hands of the keeper. Dot ball again!

Fourth Ball: Now there was pressure of 5 runs from 3 balls. Faheem tried to hit the boundary, the ball went in the air, and Hassan Khan, who was standing at the boundary, made no mistake. Faheem Ashraf out!

Fifth Ball: Imad Wasim came to the field. Hunain again used a wide yorker. Imad could only take 1 run.

Last Ball: Now 4 runs were needed from 1 ball. Hunain once again bowled a perfect yorker. The batsman could only take a single, and Hyderabad Kingsmen won this unbelievable match by 2 runs!

It is very difficult for any bowler to bowl 6 yorkers in a row under pressure. Even experienced bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf sometimes miss the yorker on such occasions, but Hunain Shah surprised everyone with his fitness and focus. In this match, he took 2 important wickets by giving 37 runs in 4 overs, but that last over of his became a "hero from zero".

After the victory, Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne looked very emotional. He hugged Hunain and praised his courage. This victory was also special because Kingsmen had lost their first four matches in a row. Rising from there and reaching the final was nothing short of a miracle.

It is impossible to forget Hassan Khan's role in this match. The six he stopped on the boundary and Faheem Ashraf's catch off Akif Javid in the 16.1 over actually became the foundation of Kingsmen's victory. If those four runs had not been saved, Islamabad might have won easily.

Hunain Shah's Performance in PSL 11

For Hunain Shah, this over has become the biggest of his career. He was previously upset by his inability to defend 12 runs against Peshawar Zalmi, but today he avenged his mistake. All eyes are now on the final on May 3rd, where Hyderabad Kingsmen will face Peshawar Zalmi again. Will Hunain Shah deliver a similarly lethal spell in the final and help his team win the trophy? Pakistan and cricket fans alike are now dreaming of seeing this young star in the national team.