LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne was “speechless” after their two-run victory over Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Eliminator 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The Kingsmen, playing their PSL debut, lost each of their first four games but forced a stunning turnaround by winning seven of their next eight games to qualify for Sunday’s final clash with table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi.
Batting first, Kingsmen scored 186 for 5 in 20 overs thanks to a century-plus partnership from Usman Khan and Gusal Perera.
The duo put on 101 runs for the fifth wicket to take the Kingsmen from 85/4 in 11.2 overs to 186/5 in 20 overs. Usman dominated the crucial position and finished with an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls with 10 fours as their highest score.
In turn, United came within touching distance with just 6 runs needed off the final over, but emerging fast bowler Hunain Shah conceded just 3 runs and claimed a wicket to give the Kingsmen a two-run win.
Labuschagne, anchored on 39, was at a loss for words to describe what the Kingsmen achieved in a match that ebbed and flowed, but insisted they provided entertainment.
“I don’t have words to describe what we did today. I mean, this team; we’re entertaining, that’s for sure,” Labuschagne said in the post-match presentation.
“It looked like we were going to win relatively comfortably, then we didn’t, and suddenly it looks like it’s over; we pack our bags and go home.
“Then Hunnain Shah stepped in and, what, three men, four fielders in the last over. I can’t describe what we did. We became that team, I’m embarrassed to talk about it.”
Labuschagne praised the ownership of the franchise and every member of their playing squad, stressing that everyone contributed in their PSL 11 campaign.
“I’ve said everything — ownership — but the trust they put in, the belief, the hand-picking of every single person on this team, for a reason that’s not obvious from the outside…every single person has demonstrated their ability over the course of the competition,” Labuschagne said.
The Kingsmen skipper particularly praised wicketkeeper Batter Usman, who has continued to perform for the tournament’s debutants, before lauding the bowlers he called “fantastic”.
“I come back to Usman Khan – eight games in he was struggling and then all of a sudden he pulled this back: 66 off 30 balls for one wicket we felt was two paces. We were talking about 170-180 there and he played unbelievable,” Labuschagne continued.
“Then the bowlers get those strides again in the powerplay; I mean, they’ve been fantastic. We’ve talked about it before, but Hunnain Shah bowled a costly over and I knew the moment was building.
“I think it was actually right that we only got four fielders out because it was simple; keep everybody straight and try to bowl six yorkers. So yeah, I don’t know what else to say.”