LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne termed the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi as just another game as he insisted that the debutants in the tournament should stick to their process.
The Kingsmen, playing their first PSL season, reached the finals after scripting a remarkable turnaround, winning seven out of eight matches after losing their first four matches in the eight-team competition.
In the final hurdle, the new contenders will take on former champions and table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi, who have suffered just one defeat in the league stage and entered the final with a 70-run win over eventual three-time champions United.
Before their solitary defeat against defending champions Lahore Qalandars, Zalmi was significantly tested by the Kingsmen to do the hard yards in their chase of a target of 146 runs, which they could only achieve in the final balls.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Kingsmen captain Labuschagne acknowledged Zalmi as a strong team but insisted it was their role to stick to their form, citing their previous meeting with the former champions.
“To beat Zalmi in the final, we knew they were a strong team. For us, it was all about focus. They were in great form throughout the match. We played once and it was a very tight game. We defended 14 runs in the last over and they managed to get over the line,” Labuschagne said at the pre-match press conference.
“For us, it’s about control, making sure we stick to our processes and plans, and then the rest will take care of itself,” he added.
The Kingsmen captain expressed his excitement for the final, insisting it was a “great occasion”, calling it just another game and reiterating the need to stick to plans.
“It will be a great occasion. Hyderabad have really lit up this tournament and it is exciting not only for the players but also for the spectators. But tomorrow is another game and we have to stick to our process,” Labuschagne said.
The Australian said there was a “slight advantage” in the final against Zalmi, having played each of their eliminators at the same venue, while the former champions played a qualifier against United in Karachi.
“Playing the last two matches at this venue will be a slight advantage as we are familiar with the conditions. It gives us momentum and confidence going into the final,” noted Labuschagne.