Hyderabad Kingsmen defeated RawalPindiz by 108 runs in their last group stage game on Sunday, ending Lahore Qalandars’ title defence and securing the final playoff spot in PSL 11.
Both Hyderabad Kingsmen and Lahore Qalandars finished the league stage on 10 points, but the newly added franchise advanced on a superior net run rate to the playoffs.
The Shaheen Shah-led Qalandars had beaten tournament leaders Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday, keeping their playoff hopes alive heading into Sunday’s decisive match at Karachi.
For the defending champions to qualify, Kingsmen were required to either lose or win by fewer than approximately 85 runs against bottom-placed RawalPindiz on Sunday.
Kingsmen post massive total of 244
The Marnus Labuschagne-led side batters set a commanding platform of 244 for six in their 20 overs, giving their bowlers a strong target to defend comfortably.
Australian hard-hitting batter Glenn Maxwell led the Kingsmen batting effort with a quickfire 70 from 37 balls, showcasing his ability to dominate T20 bowling attacks.
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera contributed an unbeaten 54, while Pakistani batter Usman Khan also struck a half-century of exactly 50 during the innings.
Bowlers seal the required margin
Kingsmen bowlers needed to restrict Pindiz to 158 or fewer runs to achieve the victory margin required to overtake the three times champions Qalandars on net run rate.
RawalPindiz were bowled out for just 136 runs, falling 22 runs below the threshold and handing Kingsmen a decisive 108-run victory at National Bank Stadium.
Eliminator 1 awaits in Lahore
Kingsmen have now secured fourth place in the PSL 11 standings and will feature in Eliminator 1, scheduled for 29 April at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Their Eliminator opponent will be confirmed after the final league match between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans determines the remaining playoff positions.
