With their campaign hanging by a thread, Hyderabad Kingsmen produced a ruthless all-round showing to overpower Rawalpindiz by 108 runs, securing the final playoff place. Rawalpindiz, who finished tenth, ended the season with an alarming record of nine losses in 10 matches, and never managed to build momentum in the chase. Hyderabad posted a commanding 244/6 after being asked to bat first, then wrapped up the opposition for 136 in 17.1 overs to complete a turnaround when it mattered most.
Key takeaways
- Hyderabad Kingsmen won by 108 runs to claim the last remaining playoff spot.
- Rawalpindiz finished tenth with nine defeats in 10 games.
- Hyderabad’s innings reached 244/6, driven by half-centuries from Usman Khan and Kusal Perera.
- Glenn Maxwell struck 70 off 37 to help power a late surge that took Hyderabad from 175/5 to 244/6.
- Rawalpindiz were bowled out for 136 in 17.1 overs, with Hunain Shah returning 4/22 and Akif Javed taking three wickets.
Hyderabad’s battering starts with a strong platform
Hyderabad began their innings on the front foot after being sent in. Marnus Labuschagne fell early, but the scoring rate never really dipped. Maaz Sadaqat also departed during the Powerplay, yet he had already made an impact with five fours and a six in his 11-ball 28.
Usman Khan provided the early acceleration, reaching 30 off 15 in the first six overs and helping Hyderabad move to 78/2 by the end of that phase. He went on to finish with a well-timed 54 off 26, and notably he was one of only three Kingsmen to reach a fifty.
Usman and Perera set the foundation, then Maxwell finishes it
Saim Ayub’s stay at the crease was brief in the middle overs, but Usman Khan and Kusal Perera took control of the chase-free scenario. Both players reached fifty, with Usman making 54 off 26 and Perera driving the innings to 50 off 30. Between them, they struck nine boundaries—nine fours and five sixes—keeping the run flow steady even after the early setbacks.
Still, the damage truly escalated after Hyderabad moved to 119/5. Perera and Glenn Maxwell combined to add a rapid 108 off 59 deliveries, turning the game decisively in Hyderabad’s favour. Maxwell, in particular, attacked with eight fours and two maximums during his 37-ball 70.
At the death, Maxwell and Hassan Khan kept the pressure on with two quick 17-run overs. Hyderabad then accelerated from 175/5 after 15 overs to finish at 244/6 in their full allocation.
Rawalpindiz’s chase never gathers real momentum
The closest Rawalpindiz came to a fight was through their second-wicket stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khawaja, which yielded 43 runs. However, even that partnership ended by the time the Powerplay was over, leaving Rawalpindiz chasing without the momentum needed to threaten Hyderabad’s total.
Sam Billings offered some support to Khawaja, but Rawalpindiz ultimately relied heavily on one batter. Usman Khawaja finished unbeaten on 66 off 43, struck with nine fours, while the rest of the batting struggled. In fact, eight of their batters were dismissed for single-digit scores, underlining how Hyderabad’s bowlers controlled the innings.
Medium pacer Hunain Shah led the collapse with figures of 4/22 from 3.1 overs. Akif Javed also struck at the right time, collecting three wickets as Rawalpindiz folded rather meekly for 136, finishing the chase in the 18th over.
Brief scores
Hyderabad Kingsmen 244/6 (20 overs) — Glenn Maxwell 70, Usman Khan 54, Kusal Perera 50; Saad Masood 2/34. Rawalpindiz 136 (17.1 overs) — Usman Khawaja 66*; Hunain Shah 4/22, Akif Javed 3/38. Result: Hyderabad won by 108 runs.
