Hyderabad Kingsmen stunned everyone by reaching the PSL final after losing their first four games in 2026.
After guiding Hyderabad Kingsmen to a dramatic last-ball victory against Islamabad United, Marnus Labuschagne admitted he was speechless during the post-match presentation. Reflecting on the night’s events, he described the team’s journey as something truly special, emphasizing that success rarely comes easily. The squad initially appeared unconventional on paper, and the opening four fixtures — all losses — showed the team still finding its feet while experimenting with different lineups. It took five matches to discover the right balance and momentum, with players rising and falling in form throughout the tournament.
The climax of the match against Islamabad United played out like an emotional rollercoaster, shifting from needing 40 runs off 20 balls to just six required off the final over after Mohammad Ali conceded 20 runs in one over. The umpires intervened by restricting field placements to four outside the circle due to slow over rates, simplifying the task ahead. Labuschagne immediately instructed Hunain Shah to bowl six consecutive yorkers at the stumps while adjusting the field. The first ball was blocked, followed by another dot and then a wicket, creating a tense situation where Faheem Ashraf’s dismissal brought a new batter to the crease with five runs needed from two deliveries. Hunain Shah’s final over conceded only three runs to secure the win and send Kingsmen into the final with a stunning seven victories from 12 matches.
Asked whether Faheem Ashraf’s wicket made him feel ahead of Islamabad United, Labuschagne responded cautiously, stating that leading by only four runs never truly felt secure. He imagined the last ball scenario vividly: if Mohammad Ali delivered a straight yorker with the field optimally placed, the opposition might manage at best two runs. That final delivery became the moment he believed Kingsmen would pull off the win. He also highlighted Mohammad Ali’s crucial backward point stop on the penultimate ball as another pivotal moment. The rollercoaster nature of the season included a must-win game against Rawalpindi where Kingsmen required 85 runs to qualify, followed by a heavy defeat to Islamabad that damaged their net run rate. Yet, they found a way to keep winning despite the odds.
Labuschagne struggled to recall the exact details of his on-field celebrations after Hunain Shah’s match-winning over, admitting he couldn’t remember what he was shouting. Some observers jokingly thought he was directing comments at the opposition, but he clarified he was simply overwhelmed with emotion following another unpredictable afternoon. The game swung dramatically — at one point Kingsmen looked set to cruise to victory, but Mark Chapman and Haider Ali staged a strong comeback with bat in hand. Labuschagne sprinted toward Hunain Shah from a distance, losing his borrowed cap while running and later discovering he had lost someone else’s hat entirely since he had left his own in the dressing room. Unable to spot Hunain amidst the sea of jubilant teammates, he joined a large pile of players and jumped atop the huddle.
The Hyderabad Kingsmen’s achievement stands as a historic feat in PSL history, becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs — let alone reach the final — after losing their opening four matches. Labuschagne credited the collective effort of the entire group, including the coaching staff, for identifying the strongest possible lineup early in the tournament. Early predictions about how the team would perform did not always align with reality, prompting tactical adjustments such as repositioning players in the batting order to create a more formidable lineup. Building individual relationships with players and understanding their strengths allowed the team to maximize performance on the field. He emphasized the core principle that no individual stands above the team, a lesson reinforced throughout the campaign.
Labuschagne highlighted standout performances from Usman Khan and Kusal Perera in the final against Islamabad United. He noted how Perera played a crucial supporting role by rotating strike effectively to Usman Khan, who delivered a match-defining knock of 61 not out off 30 balls. Usman Khan then accelerated in the last two overs, smashing 37 runs off 21 deliveries to propel Kingsmen to victory. Labuschagne also mentioned Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, and Hunain Shah as players who contributed significantly during the tournament. Despite no single consolidated team performance, Kingsmen’s ability to have different match-winners has made them a formidable opponent heading into the final.
Labuschagne pointed to the 244-run innings against Rawalpindi, followed by bowling them out for just 120 or 130, as evidence of their potential best performance. Rather than viewing this inconsistency as a weakness, he argued it makes the team more unpredictable and dangerous, as they have consistently found ways to win seven out of 12 games. The turning point of the season came in a loss to Zalmi, where Kingsmen were knocked down to low confidence and questioned their competitiveness. Despite losing four wickets in the powerplay and later three for none in the same over, Kusal Perera’s 58 off 35 kept them in the game. Hunain Shah nearly defended 14 runs in the final over, reinforcing the belief that they could win without playing their best cricket.
Reflecting on the difficult start with four consecutive defeats, Labuschagne explained how the leadership group focused on instilling belief and extracting positives from every game. The message remained consistent: trust the process and believe in each other’s abilities. Ownership played a pivotal role by consistently reinforcing faith in the players, while Jason Gillespie and Labuschagne worked to create an environment where players could grow, learn from mistakes, and improve. The group maintained a selfless attitude, with players understanding their roles and executing them without ego, as seen in Kusal Perera’s calculated innings and Usman Khan’s explosive finish.
Following the loss to Zalmi, Kingsmen implemented key tactical changes, including moving Saim Ayub down the order and reintroducing Akif Javed into the lineup. They also included Glenn Maxwell in the XI. The decision to open with a right-left combination in Karachi proved effective, especially when facing bowlers like Moeen Ali, who conceded 18 runs in the first over of one match. This adjustment allowed Labuschagne to anchor the innings and adapt as needed. Akif Javed’s return strengthened the fast-bowling unit, which collectively became the highest wicket-takers in the tournament despite limited T20 experience.
Labuschagne praised the ownership for placing trust in bowlers like Mohammad Ali, Hunain Shah, Akif Javed, and Asif, even when others may have doubted them. He described this unwavering belief as a transformative force that unlocked the team’s potential. The strategic gamble on these players, who were seen as future pillars of the attack, proved decisive. Labuschagne’s own direct signing by Kingsmen was also driven by this philosophy, as the franchise saw potential in him beyond traditional T20 expectations. He saw the role as an opportunity to grow as a leader, mentor younger players, and enhance his own T20 skills, having played only one T20 match in 2025 due to commitments in other formats.