Darwin, 21 August 2026:
Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy opened its Top End T20 campaign with a convincing six-wicket victory over Australian Capital Territory on Friday, chasing down a target of 133 with 11 balls to spare at Marrara Oval.
After electing to field, the Kingsmen restricted ACT to 132 for nine from its 20 overs before reaching 136 for four in 18.1 overs.
Shehan Jayasuriya led the Kingsmen chase with an attacking 40 from 25 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. He combined with Shayan Jahangir for a 74-run opening partnership that put the Kingsmen firmly in control.
Jahangir contributed 33 from 32 balls before ACT briefly fought back, dismissing both openers in quick succession. Esam Rahman removed Jayasuriya and Jahangir and finished with ACT’s best bowling figures of 2-25 from four overs.
The Kingsmen slipped from 74 without loss to 102 for four, but Syed Saad Ali and captain Hammad Azam ensured there would be no late collapse.
Saad Ali finished unbeaten on 22 from 20 balls, while Azam provided the decisive late acceleration with an unbeaten 22 from 12 deliveries, including two fours and a six. Their unbroken 34-run partnership carried the Kingsmen past the target in the 19th over.
Earlier, ACT struggled to build substantial partnerships after being sent in.
Esam Rahman top-scored with 27 from 23 balls, while Jake Smith made 23 from 17. Zak Keogh and captain Nic Broes each contributed 20, but regular wickets prevented ACT from producing a strong finish.
Umer Khan was the standout bowler for the Kingsmen, taking 3-21 from four overs. Scott Kuggeleijn, Zia-ul-Haq and Ali Sheikh claimed two wickets apiece as ACT lost nine wickets in posting 132.
The Kingsmen’s disciplined bowling attack conceded only 31 runs across the final five overs while taking four wickets, leaving ACT with a modest total to defend.
The victory gave Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy two points from the match, while ACT finished without a point.
Scores in brief:
Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy beat Australian Capital Territory by six wickets with 11 balls remaining.
Australian Capital Territory 132-9, 20 overs (Esam Rahman 27, Jake Smith 23, Zak Keogh 20, Nic Broes 20; Umer Khan 3-21, Zia-ul-Haq 2-23, Scott Kuggeleijn 2-24, Ali Sheikh 2-20)
Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy 136-4, 18.1 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 40, Shayan Jahangir 33, Syed Saad Ali 22 not out, Hammad Azam 22 not out; Esam Rahman 2-25)
