Labuschagne Hails Hunain Shah After Three-Run Final Over — Psl Final
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s psl final push was built on a three-run final over from Hunain Shah, and Marnus Labuschagne said that finish reflected the team’s self-belief after a rough start. The Kingsmen captain said the side had to work through four losses before finding its balance and momentum five games into the tournament.
Labuschagne’s final-over plan
Labuschagne said the instructions to Shah were direct: six straight yorkers at the stumps, with the field straightened to match the plan. He said the first ball was a dot, the next delivery added more pressure, and then the over tilted again when a wicket fell and Islamabad United needed five off the last two balls.
That last spell ended with Faheem Ashraf caught by Hassan Khan after a perfect straight yorker. Labuschagne said Shah’s final over went for three runs, a finish that carried Hyderabad through Eliminator 2 after a match in which the margin of error had narrowed sharply at the end.
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s early struggle
The result came after a tournament that had started badly for Hyderabad. Labuschagne said the squad lost its first four games while trying to understand how to construct its line-up, and that the group only began to settle once the balance of the side improved.
“The story of what we have been able to create as a team has been so special. Nothing good comes easy. The squad that we put together probably looked a little bit interesting on paper and then we had [first] four games [which Kingsmen lost] where we were trying to get to know the team and understand how to construct our line-up.”
“We found that balance and momentum five games in. We had players coming into form and some losing theirs a little bit. It has been a journey.”
Hunain Shah and Hassan Khan
The closing sequence also gave a clean answer to how Hyderabad handled pressure late. Labuschagne said he could see the over shifting ball by ball, especially after the wicket that created the need for a new batter with five needed off the last two deliveries.
“It became pretty simple. I just said to Hunain Shah that 'it is six straight yorkers at the stumps. We are going to have the field straightened and see if we can do it.'”
“He bowled a perfect ball, a straight yorker, and [Faheem was] caught by Hassan Khan. For Hunain Shah to bowl that final over which went for three is just incredible. It has been awesome to be part of the journey, be able to lead the team, and play a part in what has been an amazing season.”
The Kingsmen’s path now reads as a turnaround built on adjustment rather than early control. Four losses forced the lineup questions, five games in the side found its shape, and Eliminator 2 ended with a bowler carrying out a plan that left Islamabad United short by three runs in the final over.
