Labuschagne carries Hyderabad Kingsmen home with unbeaten 61
Debutant Asif Mehmood also took a four-wicket haul against Islamabad United
Debutant Asif Mehmood also took a four-wicket haul against Islamabad United
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Rashad Mahbub
That wraps up our coverage of today's PSL match. Thank you for joining us over the last few hours. Be sure to tune in again tomorrow for more PSL and cricket action. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub signing off on behalf of Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi and Ranjith P. It's time to stretch the back; take care, everyone!
Player of the Match, Marnus Labuschagne: "Yeah, there were many things that were really good about that. Asif at the end was the icing on the cake and really kept the score down; going for just two or three in that last over is huge in the context of the game. I thought Glenn Maxwell was excellent with his four overs, and then everyone just chipped in again. Mohammad Ali was once again so consistent through those middle-to-late overs. I'm really happy with how everyone bowled. We understood the conditions; we didn't get the early wickets we wanted, but we stuck at it. Then, two big pieces of fielding changed the momentum, and we jumped on the back of that. [Sadaqat and Saim] Those two young guys were so impressive. Firstly, Sadaqat played with such freedom to take that first over for 20; we spoke about that, and it's why we shifted the batting order. Then Saim played a really experienced knock. He hit beautiful cricket shots on a surface that was tricky to score fast on. I'm really proud of both of them; they just keep learning. Saim's innings tonight showed a man beyond his years. [Credit to yourself as well] Once we got that powerplay up and running, I knew if I was there at the end, we were going to win the game. It was about keeping the intent high and still looking for boundaries, but making sure my job was to get the team over the line and let our powerful hitters do their thing through the middle."
Chris Green: "[What did you make of that total first?] Yeah, it was a disappointing result for us tonight. Credit to them; they played well. In phases of the game, we did really well. that starting powerplay with the bat was excellent, but ultimately, those two run-outs cost us. It was a brilliant bit of fielding. We had two set batters there, and while Mark Chapman batted really well at the end, we weren't able to support his efforts. I felt we were probably 15 to 20 runs short on that wicket. Then again, in phases with the ball, we were good, but we missed a few marks and they batted nicely. It's not a bad thing to lose a game; you learn from it, and we have another opportunity in a few days to go out there and do our thing. [I asked one question and you gave me a complete summary] Thank you. One answer is always good."
Hamid: "An ordinary day in the office for the reliable Imad Wasim tonight. With Shadab missing and a below par score on the board the IU needed their senior pro bowling tight tonight"
10:40 pm It was a clinical performance from the side that only earned its first PSL points last night; they carried that momentum forward to deliver a stunning all-around display today. Sadaqat set the tone immediately, smashing two boundaries and two sixes off Imad in the opening over. The opening stand reached 50 before Sadaqat was caught at mid-on in the fifth over, departing for a brisk 30 off 16 balls. From there, Labuschagne and Saim stabilized the chase, rotating the strike effectively to keep the required rate under eight runs per over. Saim eventually departed for 35 in the 14th over, caught behind by Faheem's hard length ball, who then struck again in the same over by forcing Usman to nick a wide delivery down the leg side to the keeper. The wickets continued to tumble as Perera departed in the following over, caught in the deep while attempting to clear the leg side against Green. However, Maxwell ensured there was no late drama, announcing himself to the PSL by launching Imad for two sixes in the 17th over to bring the Kingsmen within sight of victory. Labuschagne anchored the chase perfectly, remaining unbeaten with a masterful 61 off 53 balls, while Maxwell's quick-fire 21 off 9 balls sealed the win. With back to back victories, the Kingsmen have kept their playoff hopes alive and blown the points table wide open.
Hyderabad Kingsmen won by 6 wickets
Irshad to bowl the penultimate over. Attacking field setup.
Hamid: "HHK by winning this will throw some excitement in the league as another couple of wins and they will be in contention for the knockouts. Hope the Pindiz also win a few as well to keep the interest going"
Debutant Asif Mehmood also took a four-wicket haul against Islamabad United