Hyderabad Kingsmen Storm Into Playoffs with 108-Run Thrashing of Rawalpindiz
KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen delivered a dominant all-round display to thrash Rawalpindiz by 108 runs in a crucial Pakistan Super League Season 11 encounter at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday, sealing their berth in the playoffs in emphatic fashion.
Set a daunting 245-run target, Rawalpindiz never looked in control and were eventually bowled out for just 136 in 17.1 overs, as the Kingsmen’s bowlers executed their plans with precision in a high-pressure situation.
The comprehensive win also ensured Hyderabad met their qualification requirement — not only securing victory but also keeping their opponents below the crucial 158-run mark.
Rawalpindiz’s chase got off to a shaky start when Akif Javed struck early to remove Shahzaib Khan for just one. Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khawaja attempted to rebuild, stitching together a steady partnership to take the score past fifty.
However, the momentum shifted when Hunain Shah broke the stand, dismissing Rizwan for a brisk 26. Khawaja carried on and brought up a fighting half-century — his second of the season — but lacked support at the other end.
Kamran Ghulam departed without scoring, while Sam Billings’ brief cameo of 23 failed to make a lasting impact. Dian Forrester and Saad Masood also fell cheaply as wickets continued to tumble, leaving Rawalpindiz struggling at 102-5.
The lower order offered little resistance thereafter. Mohammad Ali and Hunain Shah tightened the screws further, with the latter completing a superb four-wicket haul. A run-out and a final wicket from Ben Sears wrapped up the innings, with Khawaja left stranded unbeaten on 66.
Hunain Shah was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 for 22, while Akif Javed supported well with three wickets. Mohammad Ali and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with one apiece.
Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen’s batting unit laid the foundation for the big win with an explosive effort after being put in to bat.
Captain Marnus Labuschagne fell early, but Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan counterattacked with a rapid partnership, taking the score beyond 50 inside the powerplay. Maaz smashed 28 off just 11 balls before his dismissal.
Usman Khan continued the onslaught, bringing up a quick-fire fifty and keeping the scoring rate high. However, a brief collapse saw Hyderabad slip to 119-5, with Usman departing for 54 and Irfan Niazi falling for a duck.
The innings was then revived brilliantly by Kusal Perera and Glenn Maxwell, who stitched together a massive partnership to put Rawalpindiz under immense pressure. Maxwell was particularly aggressive, registering his first PSL fifty and dominating the bowling attack.
Their 100-plus stand pushed Hyderabad past the 200-run mark before Maxwell was run out in the final over after a superb 70.
Perera remained unbeaten on 50, while late contributions from Hassan Khan lifted the total to a commanding 244-6 — a score that ultimately proved far beyond Rawalpindiz’s reach.
