Hyderabad Kingsmen eliminated Multan Sultans from the PSL playoffs with an eight-wicket victory. Fans are gradually returning to stadiums as the season progresses.
Mentioned in this story
Fans cheer the Pakistan Super League first eliminator cricket match between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Hyderabad Kingsmen won the match by eight wickets, successfully eliminating Multan Sultans from the playoffs.
The return of fans marked a gradual normalization of attendance after matches were initially held behind closed doors due to restrictions.
Hyderabad will face Islamabad United for a chance to compete in the final against Peshawar Zalmi.
Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan both scored 64 runs, while Hyderabad's bowlers took six wickets to restrict Multan to 159 runs.
Mikel Arteta criticized the VAR decision to overturn a penalty for Eberechi Eze, calling it 'completely unacceptable'. Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
Buffalo fans unite to sing Canadian anthem after mic fails!
George Pickens signs $27.3M franchise tag with the Cowboys, ensuring offseason participation.
Penguins aim for reverse sweep against Flyers in Game 6!
Panthers sign former Cowboys QB Will Grier to challenge Bryce Young
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole allows 3 runs in latest rehab start
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Fans cheer the Pakistan Super League first eliminator cricket match between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fans cheer the Pakistan Super League first eliminator cricket match between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fans show their tickets as they arrive for Pakistan Super League first eliminator cricket match between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Hyderabad Kingsmen Mohammad Ali, center, celebrates after taking wicket during the Pakistan Super League first eliminator cricket match between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) ā Hyderabad Kingsmen continued their remarkable turnaround in the Pakistan Super League with a thumping eight-wicket win over Multan Sultans in the playoffs as fans gradually started to return to stadiums on Wednesday. Hyderabad, led by Marnus Labuschagne of Australia, started its debut season in Pakistanās premier domestic T20 event with four straight losses before winning five of its last six league games to qualify for the playoffs. Hyderabad will take on three-time champion Islamabad United on Friday for a spot in Sunday's final against 2017 champion Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam. Peshawar routed Islamabad by 70 runs in the qualifier at Karachi on Tuesday on the back of Babarās second century this season. A day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the return of fans to stadiums for the remaining four PSL games, ticket distribution hit a snag at Karachi before National Bank Stadium got a sizable crowd midway through the second half of the qualifier on Tuesday. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore also didnāt pack to its capacity on Wednesday, but still thousands of fans came to watch the game for the first time this season. Hyderabad pace trio of Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali and Hunain Shah claimed six wickets between them while Saim Ayub and Glenn Maxwell also picked up a wicket each as Multan got restricted at 159-9. Pakistan test captain Shan Masood made an unbeaten 69, but rest of the Multan batting crumbled against pace and spin. Hyderabad cruised to 162-2 in 15.2 overs with opening batter Maaz Sadaqat scoring unbeaten 64 off 33 balls and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan hitting eight fours and three sixes in his aggressive 64 off 35 balls. Pakistanās biggest sports spectacle had started behind closed doors last month with fans asked to stay home because of soaring fuel prices related to the Iran war. The government had urged people to restrict travel. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi also said it wouldnāt be right to have 30,000 fans attending cricket matches every day while the government is asking the public to stay home. Permission for spectators to attend the four playoff games was granted just 24 hours before the qualifier between Peshawar and Islamabad started. Last week, Sharif approved a request from franchise owners to open the doors to the final before giving approval to the remaining three playoff games on Monday. \\\_ AP cricket: