LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne expressed disappointment over his side’s batting failure in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first, the Kingsmen managed to amass 129 runs before being bowled out in 18 overs, despite a brave half-century from top-order batsman Saim Ayub.
The tournament openers were well settled for 71/2 in 6.2 overs before running towards the collapse as they lost the remaining eight wickets for 58 off 70 balls.
Chasing a target of 130 in the final, the Kingsmen’s in-form pace attack demolished Zalmi’s top order and reduced the table-toppers to 40/4 inside five overs, but an 85-run partnership between Aaron Hardy and Abdul Samad turned the game around.
Reflecting on his team’s defeat in the climactic clash of PSL 11, Labuschagne acknowledged their shortcomings with the bat but highlighted their fight with the ball early in the second innings.
“A few things didn’t go our way. As a batting group, we left some runs out there. We showed that confidence once again, what we can do, four for 40, but not enough runs on the board tonight,” Labuschagne said in the post-match presentation.
The Kingsmen, on debut this season, have experienced a roller-coaster campaign as they have suffered defeats in their first four matches.
Although Labuschagne said the final result hurt, he was proud of his team’s resilience throughout the tournament, citing their sensational win over fellow debutants Rawalpindis by 108 runs to secure a miraculous playoff berth in the final over.
“I think it hurt tonight, but we put together an amazing tournament, going from four losses to four wins in a row, getting bowled out for 80 runs, then winning by 100 runs, winning two games and getting into the final; we made a lot of great memories,” Labuschagne said.
“I am very proud of the team; it was a fantastic effort,” he added.
The Australian shared that he thoroughly enjoyed captaining the team in the recently concluded PSL 11, saying it was an opportunity to challenge himself in a different environment and get to know the players, owners and support staff.
“I really did. I was excited about the opportunity to challenge myself in a different environment and enjoy getting to know the players, the owners and the support staff,” Labusgagne said.
“It’s exciting to see what this team has built in such a short time, and there are some exciting things to come,” he concluded.