Hyderabad Kingsmen started off the PSL on a poor note but bounced back in their inaugural season and have reached the finals against one-time champions Peshawar Zalmi. Kingsmen skipper Marnus Labuschagne was seen in a heated argument with the fourth umpire after he was disappointed with Kusal Perera’s controversial run out.
It’s the final match day in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League, and the campaign is underway between the winners from 2017, Peshawar Zalmi, and the debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen.
Marnus Labuschagne, the skipper of the Kingsmen side, unleashed his fury on the fourth umpire after the umpires made a controversial run-out decision against Kusal Perera, which marked the sixth wicket in the Kingsmen innings.
Kusal Perera’s dismissal sparked massive controversy in the PSL final; Marnus Labuschagne agitated
Hyderabad Kingsmen got off to the worst possible start in the PSL 2026 final, with the Marnus Labuschagne-led side being down by five wickets with just seven overs of play. Kusal Perera was on the crease with Saim Ayub on the crease.
On the 5th ball of the 8th over of play against Nahid Rana, Kusal Perera, looking to steal a quick single, was blocked by the seamer, and he had to run around him to complete his run. In the meantime, Michael Bracewell picked up and aimed at the stumps.
A contentious run-out moment in the PSL 2026 Final. 😳 pic.twitter.com/jvWF1rCV5U
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman1_) May 3, 2026
Now, Marnus Labuschagne was disgusted as he was given run out, as the bowler, according to him, had restricted the batter from getting back to the crease, which he reasoned to the fourth umpire. However, the umpire reasoned that Rana had nothing to do with Perera and was only looking at the ball.
Hyderabad Kingsmen’s incredible bounce back in PSL 2026
Hyderabad Kingsmen, who were the newest addition to this season of the Pakistan Super League, got off to the worst start in the PSL. The Marnus Labuschagne-led side started off with four losses in a row. With ten matches to be played for each team, they registered five wins in the next six matches of the season.
This was a miraculous return in terms of the PSL, as the Kingsmen became the first team in PSL history to qualify for the playoffs after losing the first four matches in the season. They scripted history by also having defended 6 runs in the second qualifier in the final over of the game.
Kingsmen bowlers strike early in defence of 130 runs in PSL final
The Kingsmen have performed particularly well with the ball throughout these games. However, in this game, they struck twice in the very first over, dismissing the in-form veteran Babar Azam for a golden duck and then Mohammad Haris as well.
Kusal Mendis was also dismissed after a subtle start to the innings, and Kingsmen were back in the game with the big four back in the hut. However, one major hindrance stood in the path of the Marnus Labuschagne-led side as Aaron Hardie, after having amassed many wickets with the ball, has now amassed some runs with the bat.
They are chasing a timid total of 129, which was set after some due credit to Saim Ayub’s fine knock in the final and the early start from the skipper.
ALSO READ: Shubman Gill makes wedding declaration during GT vs PBKS clash in IPL 2026
