Rawalpindiz captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted he wanted Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 11 playoffs over Hyderabad Kingsmen, even telling Usman Khawaja during a strategic timeout that the Kingsmen did not deserve to qualify.
Speaking at the post-match presentation after Rawalpindiz’s heavy defeat to Hyderabad at the National Bank Stadium, Rizwan reflected on the broader implications of the result.
“At the start, I wished that Lahore would qualify; there’s a special affection for them, that’s a different matter. During the strategic timeout, I told Usman Khawaja that, considering how Hyderabad played their last match, they don’t deserve it. This could be my wrong thinking as well and I apologize for it,” he said.
“We feel bad for Lahore, but we couldn’t do anything,” he added.
Rizwan also conceded that Hyderabad were the better side on the day. “It’s disappointing how we lost. We were already out, and I think luck favoured them — they deserved to be in the playoffs. It looked like a good batting pitch, and for us, the focus was on our own match rather than how the result would affect others,” he said.
Rawalpindiz, already eliminated before the match, were bowled out for 136 in 17.1 overs while chasing 245, handing Hyderabad a 108-run victory. The Kingsmen needed not just a win but also to restrict Rawalpindiz to 158 or fewer to leapfrog fourth-placed Lahore Qalandars on net run rate, and they delivered on both counts.
Hyderabad’s innings was built on quick-fire contributions from the top order. Glenn Maxwell blazed 70 off 37 balls with eight fours and three sixes, Usman Khan provided early momentum with 54 off 26 deliveries, and Kusal Perera finished unbeaten on 50 off 30 balls to power the Kingsmen to a commanding total.
In reply, Usman Khawaja top-scored for Rawalpindiz with an unbeaten 66 off 43 balls, while Rizwan and Sam Billings managed 23 runs each. Hunain Shah led the bowling attack with 4/22 in 3.1 overs, Akif Javed took three wickets, and Mohammad Ali and Glenn Maxwell claimed one each.
The result sealed Hyderabad’s place in the playoffs, ending Lahore Qalandars’ campaign in the process.
