In the crucial match of PSL 11, Hyderabad Kingsmen defeated Rawalpindi and secured a place in the playoffs.
With this victory, the playoff lineup for the current season of the PSL was completed, with Hyderabad Kingsmen becoming the fourth team to qualify.
Hyderabad Kingsmen set a target of 245 runs for Rawalpindi. To qualify for the playoffs, they needed to restrict the opposition to 159 runs or fewer.
Hyderabad’s devastating bowling attack dismantled Rawalpindi’s batting lineup, as the entire team was bowled out for just 136 runs. As a result, Hyderabad Kingsmen, playing in the PSL for the first time, won by a massive margin of 108 runs and advanced to the playoffs.
Usman Khawaja’s half-century and captain Rizwan’s 26-run innings went in vain for Rawalpindi, while Haneen Shah bowled brilliantly, taking 4 wickets. Akif Javed also impressed with 3 wickets.
Earlier in the match, Hyderabad Kingsmen batted first and scored 244 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, setting Rawalpindi a challenging target of 245 runs. Hyderabad produced three impressive half-centuries. Glenn Maxwell was run out after scoring a quick 70 off 37 balls.
In a high-scoring clash in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a massive total of 245 runs, setting a daunting target for Rawalpindi. Earlier, Rawalpindi won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match being played in Karachi.
Skipper Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed early, clean bowled by Ben Sears for just 5 off 5 balls in the second over after hitting a boundary.
Maaz and Usman then rebuilt the innings with a brisk 50-run partnership, guiding the Kingsmen past the 50-run mark. However, Amad Butt broke the stand at 54, dismissing Maaz for a quickfire 28 off 11 balls, an innings that included five fours and a six, with Mohammad Rizwan taking a sharp catch behind the stumps. The Kingsmen slipped to 64-2 in 5.1 overs.
Usman maintained the momentum with an aggressive approach, bringing up his fifth PSL half-century while regularly finding the boundary. Saim Ayub provided brief support but was dismissed by Asif Afridi for 12 off 6 deliveries, including a four and a six.
Usman then stitched together another important partnership with Perera, taking the total past the 100-run mark. However, Saad Masood struck twice in a single over to shift the momentum back in favour of the opposition.
Hyderabad scored three impressive half-centuries. Glenn Maxwell was run out after scoring 70 off 37 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan scored 54 runs off 26 balls, while Kusal Perera played an unbeaten 50 runs off 30 balls.
It is worth mentioning that in yesterday’s match, Lahore Qalandars defeated the previously unbeaten Peshawar Zalmi by 6 wickets. In the game played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Lahore Qalandars successfully chased the target of 200 runs set by Peshawar Zalmi, reaching it with 3 balls to spare and losing 4 wickets.
Fakhar Zaman remained unbeaten on 58 runs, while Daniel Sams scored 35, handing Peshawar Zalmi their first defeat in PSL 11.
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