PSL 2026: Hyderabad cruise into playoffs beating Rawalpindiz; Islamabad thrash Multan

Hyderabad Kingsmen registered a crucial 108-run win in their last league fixture of the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026) against Rawalpindiz to qualify for the playoffs. On the other hand, Islamabad United also sealed a victory against Multan Sultans to carry winning momentum into the playoffs as the tournament ended its league stage with a double header fixture on Sunday, April 26 at National Stadium, Karachi.

In the first match of the day, Hyderabad had to beat Rawalpindiz by a huge margin to seal the final spot in the playoffs. Asked to bat first, Hyderabad posted a huge score of 244/6 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on half-centuries from Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khan (54 off 26), and Kusal Perera (50* off 30).

In reply, Rawalpindiz were blown away by Hyderabad’s bowlers as Hunain Shah and Akif Javed (3/38, 4 overs) ran through their batting line up. Only Usman Khawaja (66* off 43) tried to salvage some pride with his half-century as Rawalpindiz were bundled out for 136. As a result, Hyderabad registered a massive 108-run win, which helped them beat Lahore Qalandars on the net run rate and seal their spot in the top four.

In the second match of the day, Islamabad United invited Multan Sultans to bat first, and they were given a good start by Sahibzada Farhan (30 off 18) and Steve Smith (30 off 19), who added 60 runs for the first wicket off 36 balls.

Shan Masood (44 off 33), Arafat Minhas (31 off 19) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (26* off 9) also made valuable contributions to guide Multan to a massive score of 192/7 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Islamabad lost three wickets quickly as Devon Conway (18 off 15), Sameer Minhas (1 off 4) and Mohsin Riaz (25 off 17) were dismissed cheaply. However, a fiery knock from Mark Chapman and supporting hands from Shadab Khan (36 off 28), Haider Ali (13 off 5) and Faheem Ashraf (11 off 9) took Islamabad over the line in 18.4 overs.

As a result, they finished second on the PSL 2026 points table with six wins from ten matches with 13 points to their name. 

Best Batter of the Match

Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindiz, Match 39

Best Bowler of the Match

Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindiz, Match 39

Player of the Match

Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindiz, Match 39

Hunain Shah was adjudged Player of the Match for his terrific bowling spell as he scalped 4/22 in 3.1 overs. He first destroyed Rawalpindiz's top order and later returned to clean up the tail quickly to help his team register a huge victory and qualify for the playoffs.

Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans, Match 40

Mark Chapman was adjudged Player of the Match for his terrific innings, which helped Islamabad chase down the big target of 193 with 8 balls to spare. He scored an unbeaten 69* (33) with the help of four fours and six sixes.

What did the captains say:

Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindiz, Match 39

Winning Captain, Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen):

It's hard to sum up what we've just done there. Firstly, to lose the toss there, I was actually very conflicted at the toss, as I said, because I thought if we could do what we did in the first innings, that was the best way to win the game. And for the boys to step up, Glenn had a quiet tournament up till then to find that innings and KP and Usman Khan and then Hassan Khan to finish it off there. For us to get 244 there, it really kept us in the game. We thought the wicket may be a little bit of double pace there. And then, it was just about holding our nerves. We know how those go. You're up, you're down. They get a few boundaries. You feel like the dream's over. You get a few wickets. The boys are too high. So just trying to keep everything calm and to be able to finish it off there was real special.

Losing Captain, Mohammad Rizwan (Rawalpindiz):

We are disappointed, we tried our best. Till Forrester and Amad Butt were batting, we were going for the target. But once they got out, we thought to play some proper cricket and see where we reach. If they bowl us out under 158, they deserved to qualify and they did that so all credit to them. The way they played today they deserved to win. It was a batting pitch and the game in hand was important for us and not how the result affects others. We feel bad for Lahore but unfortunately, it wasn't in their destiny to make it.

Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans, Match 40

Winning Captain, Shadab Khan (Islamabad United):

When you win, a lot of flaws are hidden. Our death bowling needs improvement. Also the catching, the catch I dropped. Catches win matches. The pitch was really good. Idea was to take it deep because we have the players who can play cameos. The way Haider played, and Mohsin who debuted in the last game and showed great intent today. We know all about Chapman, all of us in the Pakistan lineup have seen enough of him and know the kind of love he has for us. Obviously the goal is to finish in the top two and we have achieved that. We have the momentum with us.

Losing Captain, Ashton Turner (Multan Sultans):

We weren't far off par. But being par means you still need to execute your skills in the second half. Unfortunately we weren't able to do that. Some key missed opportunities cost us the game which is frustrating. But we know we have opportunities lying ahead of us. We played really good cricket in Lahore, particularly our batting unit. We'll enjoy going back there. Need to pick ourselves up. Hopefully our best cricket is ahead of us. Every decision we make in the game is tactical (Minhas not bowling). Mark Chapman plays left-arm orthodox bowling pretty nicely. To be fair to him he played all of our bowlers nicely. It's a matchup thing. We do our due diligence and prepare as best we can. If we held some catches, might've been different.