With the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 nearing its business end, five teams are fighting for the final two spots in the playoffs after Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultan confirmed their berths. In match number 36 of PSL 2026, Hyderabad Kingsmen will return to action as they take on Islamabad United once again this season on April 24 at the National Stadium in Karachi. While the Marnus Labuschagne-led side will be high on confidence, especially seeing them extend their winning streak, their opponent, Islamabad United, will be entering this fixture after going down by a 6-wicket margin to Rawalpindi Pindiz.
With both teams fighting for a spot, it is set to be a thrilling game. But if we recall the previous outing between them, which took place on April 12 at the same venue, the Kingmen edged the United to register a 6-wicket win. After the Islamabad-based side posted 153/9 on board, courtesy of 40-plus knocks from Devon Conway and Mark Chapman, the Kingsmen chased the total with ease in just 18.1 overs, thanks to the Labuschagne’s unbeaten 61 off 53 balls.
PSL 2026: HK vs IU match details
- Match Number: Match 36
- Date: April 24, 2026 (Friday)
- Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
- Toss time: 7:00 pm (IST)
- Match time: 7:30 pm (IST)
Team Preview
Hyderabad Kingsmen
Hyderabad Kingsmen didn’t have a great start to the season but bounced back just in time and are placed fourth on the points table. Moreover, the Marnus Labuschagne-led side will be high on confidence as they are coming off the back of a four-match winning streak and would look to continue this momentum in order to secure a playoffs spot.
Islamabad United
The most successful franchise of the PSL, Islamabad United, has had a topsy-turvy season, winning four games and losing three, whereas one ended in a no result. While they are coming off a loss against Rawalpindi Pindiz, they would look to secure a win and confirm their playoffs berth. Moreover, the former champions will once again back their skipper to come out good and guide the side over the finish line.
Head-to-Head
The two teams have faced each other once in this season, where the Hyderabad Kingsmen came out victorious by 6 wickets.
Team Form (last 5 matches)
| Hyderabad Kingsmen | Islamabad United |
|---|---|
| Won by 4 wickets vs MS | Lost to RP by 6 wickets |
| Won by 5 wickets vs RP | Won by 8 wickets vs KK |
| Won by 6 wickets vs IU | Lost by 6 wickets vs HK |
| Won by 4 wickets vs KK | Won by 9 wickets vs LQ |
| Lost to PZ by 4 wickets | Won by 7 wickets vs RP |
HK vs IU: Predicted Playing XIs
Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (WK), Marnus Labuschagne (C), Glenn Maxwell, Kusal Perera, Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Akif Javed, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali.
Islamabad United: Devon Conway (WK), Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Faiq, Haider Ali, Mark Chapman, Shadab Khan (C), Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Chris Green, Richard Gleeson, Mohammad Hasnain.
Key Players
| Hyderabad Kingsmen | Islamabad United | ||
| Player | Stats | Player | Stats |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 264 runs across 8 matches | Sameer Minhas | 271 runs across 7 matches |
| Mohammad Ali | 10 wickets in 7 innings | Devon Conway | 247 runs across 7 innings |
| Hunain Shah | 8 wickets in 5 games | Shadab Khan | 10 wickets in 6 games |
Karachi Pitch Report
Speaking of Karachi’s National Stadium, the venue has hosted over 15 matches in PSL 2026. While the ground is known to assist batters, thus providing some high-scoring games this season, bowlers too have come out critical, especially seeing the new ball bringing in some swing in the second innings.
HK vs IU Match Prediction – Who will win?
The Shadab Khan-led Islamabad United will be looking to seal a win in this game in order to confirm their playoffs spot with a match still left for them. Although the Kingsmen hold a 1-0 advantage against the United, the men from Islamabad would look to take revenge for their previous defeat and level the stats 1-1.
- Prediction: Islamabad United to win the contest.
