Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and decided to field first in the high-octane final of the 11th season of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) against tournament debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore on Sunday.
Speaking after the toss, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar said that assessing the situation at the earliest was the key to his team’s success.
“The pitch is looking grassy, and we will try to utilise the first six overs,” he said. “Like the whole of the tournament, we will try to execute our plan as per the playing conditions.”
He also announced the inclusion of Nahid Rana in the final XI. Nahid is replacing Khurram Shehzad.
Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne said there was no change in his team for the final.
“It’s been an amazing couple of days, obviously, with that finish in the last game against Islamabad. We have one more job today, and I can’t wait,” he added.
“The benefit of having played international cricket is being used to this atmosphere. But nothing makes it more special than being in the final of your first PSL as Hyderabad Kingsmen; it’s very exciting,” the Australian batter said.
Talking about the final, Labuschagne said that this day was similar to their last match; however, he said, “It’s for us to take in this atmosphere, this crowd, and this occasion, but stay calm and understand what we need to execute.”
“I think the toss isn’t as important in games where the wicket is so good,” he said.
Peshawar Zalmi, who entered the final after crushing three-time champions Islamabad United by 70 runs in the first playoff match, are on a run for their second title. They last lifted the trophy in 2017, when they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final.
Throughout PSL 11, Babar-led Zalmi registered eight victories and just a single defeat, to the Gladiators, sealing the top spot in the points table.
Meanwhile, Kingsmen — one of the two new franchises added to the PSL circuit in this edition — secured a stunning 2-run victory over Islamabad United in the make-or-break eliminator on Friday to book a place in the final.
Kingsmen had a rough start to the campaign, losing five games in a row before getting back on track to win the next five fixtures and qualify for the playoffs.
