By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen stormed into the HBL PSL 11 playoffs on Sunday, securing a dominant 108-run victory over Rawalpindiz at the National Bank Stadium.
They joined Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans and Islamabad United in the playoffs. Lahore Qalandars, with the outcome, also crashed out of the event.
After a piling up a massive 244-6 Kingsmen needed to restrict Rawalpindiz to 158 or less if they were to qualify for the playoffs and they did it in style. They folded Rawalpindiz for just 136 to move into the playoffs on their debut event.
They beat Lahore Qalandars on net run rate to move into the knock-out stage of the eight-team marquee event.
Opting to bat first, Kingsmen posted a mammoth 244-6, fueled by a middle-order blitz. Glenn Maxwell led the charge with a blistering 70 off 37 balls, including eight boundaries and three sixes. He found an able partner in Kusal Perera, who remained unbeaten on 50 from 30 deliveries, featuring five fours and a six.
Earlier, Usman Khan set the tempo with a rapid 54 off 26 balls, hitting four sixes and the same number of fours, at the top of the order while a late cameo from Hassan Khan (16 off 4 balls) pushed the total out of reach.
In response, Rawalpindiz’ chase never gained momentum. While Usman Khawaja went deep for a defiant 66 not out off 43 balls with nine fours, he lacked support from the other end. Hunain Shah was the destructor for Kingsmen, tearing through the Rawalpindiz’ lineup to finish with figures of 4-22.
Left-armer Akif Javed also starred with the ball, picking up 3-38 as Rawalpindiz were eventually bundled out for 136 in the 18th over. The result confirms Hyderabad’s progress to the knockout stages while the Rawalpindiz finish their campaign at the bottom of the table with just a single win to their credit.
Summarised scores
Hyderabad Kingsmen: 244-6 in 20 overs: Glenn Maxwell 70 (37), Usman Khan 54 (26), Kusal Perera 50* (30), Saad Masood 2-34.
Rawalpindiz 136 all out in 17.1 overs: Usman Khawaja 66* (43), Mohammad Rizwan 26 (16), Hunain Shah 4-22, Akif Javed 3-38,
Result: Kingsmen won by 108 runs
Hunain Shah (Man of the match)
