LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen pacer Hunain Shah stated that the final over was delivered as planned and it paid off.
Hunain Shah emerged as the hero for the Hyderabad Kingsmen, defending six runs in the final over to secure a dramatic two-run victory over Islamabad United in the Eliminator 2 of HBL Pakistan Super League 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
His composure under immense pressure not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also booked Hyderabad’s place in the final against Peshawar Zalmi on May 3.
Hunain revealed that the strategy for the last over was simple yet bold: bowl six consecutive yorkers with absolute clarity. “When I came to bowl the last over, I told Marnus we don’t have margin. I will bowl six yorkers and went with the plan. Feeling really good, thanks to God,” he said.
With Islamabad needing six runs off the final over and only four fielders allowed outside the circle due to a slow over-rate penalty, Hunain executed his plan to perfection. He conceded just three runs, dismissing Faheem Ashraf in the process, and sealed Hyderabad’s passage to the final.
Hunain credited his success to belief in his abilities and the guidance he received from senior figures. “It wasn’t my greatness; Allah chose me and gave me this honor. Naseem Shah helped me a lot, teaching me how to stay calm when you perform poorly and how to move past it. Similarly, when you perform well, he taught me to put that behind and prepare for new challenges,” Hunain explained.
He also acknowledged the role of Marnus Labuschagne and head coach Jason Gillespie in motivating him after his earlier heartbreak against Peshawar Zalmi, when he failed to defend 15 runs. “Sometimes a ball or two goes away from you. But it’s the hard work behind the scenes that matters. I worked extremely hard for the last 6–7 months, keeping PSL in mind, and AlhamduLillah, the results are showing.”
