Defending Champions Lahore Qalandars knocked out of PSL 11

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have been eliminated from PSL 11 after Hyderabad Kingsmen secured a decisive victory over Rawalpindiz, sealing the final playoff berth.

The Kingsmen’s 108-run win at the National Bank Stadium confirmed their qualification with 10 points from 10 matches, edging out Qalandars on net run rate despite both teams finishing level on points.

Kingsmen deliver when it mattered most

Heading into the final league fixture, the equation was clear. Lahore Qalandars needed Hyderabad Kingsmen to either lose or avoid a large-margin victory. Instead, Kingsmen produced their most dominant performance of the season.

Batting first, they piled up 244 for 6 in 20 overs, a total that gave them the platform to chase the required net run rate boost. Glenn Maxwell led the charge with a 37-ball 70, while Kusal Perera remained unbeaten on 54 and Usman Khan added 50, ensuring sustained scoring throughout the innings.

The scale of the total underlined the intent — this was not just about winning, but winning big enough to overhaul the net run rate gap.

Bowlers complete the job

With the target set, Kingsmen needed to restrict Rawalpindiz to 158 or fewer. Their bowlers executed that requirement emphatically, dismissing Pindiz for 136 to complete a 108-run victory.

The margin not only secured the win but also confirmed qualification, knocking out the defending champions in the process.

This decisive second-innings performance reflected how effectively Kingsmen translated batting momentum into control with the ball, ensuring there was no late slip in the qualification equation.

Qalandars fall short despite late push

Lahore Qalandars had kept themselves in contention with a strong win over Peshawar Zalmi in their final league match, raising hopes of a late surge into the playoffs.

However, their fate remained dependent on other results. Kingsmen’s dominant victory rendered that effort insufficient, with the superior net run rate proving the difference between the two sides.

The sequence of results highlights how margins across matches can become critical in tightly contested league stages, particularly when teams finish level on points.

What comes next

Hyderabad Kingsmen will now feature in Eliminator 1 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on April 29. Their opponent will be decided after the final league-stage clash between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans.

For Lahore Qalandars, the campaign ends at the group stage despite finishing level on points with the fourth-placed side, with net run rate ultimately determining their exit from PSL 11.

Also check out:

Kingsmen storm into playoffs after crushing Rawalpindiz