Despite Saim Ayub’s fighting 54, Hyderabad Kingsmen managed only a modest 129 against Peshawar Zalmi in a high-pressure HBL Pakistan Super League final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Peshawar Zalmi, eyeing a second PSL title, won the toss and opted to field — a decision that paid early dividends as in-form Maaz Sadaqat fell in the second over after scoring 11.
Captain Marnus Labuschagne then joined Ayub, and together they took the score past 50 in the fifth over. However, just as the Kingsmen appeared to settle, Labuschagne was dismissed for 20.
The innings suffered another setback when their leading batter Usman Khan, who had scored 389 runs in the tournament before the final, was bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem for just eight.
What followed was a dramatic collapse as Kingsmen, after reaching 71 for two, lost four wickets for just one run. Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Niazi and Kusal Perera all departed in quick succession, leaving the side reeling at 73 for six.
Hassan Khan and Ayub briefly steadied the innings, taking the total to 90, but Aaron Hardie struck again to end Hassan’s stay. Shortly afterwards, Naheed Rana removed Hunain Shah for nine.
Ayub, however, continued his lone resistance and brought up a fighting half-century, scoring 54 off 50 balls, before his innings ended when Hardie claimed his third wicket.
Kingsmen were eventually bowled out for 129 in 18 overs.
Hardie was the standout bowler, finishing with four wickets for 27 runs, while Naheed Rana picked up two wickets.
