Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, who has played for Lahore Qalandars, has condemned remarks by Rawalpindiz skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who said Hyderabad Kingsmen “didn’t deserve” qualification for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 playoffs.
Rizwan’s remarks came in the aftermath of a difficult campaign for his side, who managed just one win in 10 matches, including a heavy defeat to the Kingsmen in their final league-stage fixture.
Speaking during the post-match media conference, Rizwan reflected on his team’s inconsistent performances and the overall competitiveness of the tournament.
He emphasised the importance of consistency and momentum in high-pressure matches, while also noting that opposition teams had performed strongly in certain conditions, particularly in Lahore.
“The last match played in Hyderabad, they didn’t deserve it. This can be my own wrong thinking, I’m sorry for this. This is my own opinion. If they go from here properly, if they oust us from here, then they deserve it. The matches that are going on in Lahore, they are doing very well. The rhythm that they are playing, I think it was their luck,” Rizwan said.
Hyderabad Kingsmen sealed their playoff qualification in dominant fashion, defeating Rizwan’s side by 108 runs in a must-win encounter. Batting first, the Kingsmen posted an imposing 244-6 before bowling out Rawalpindiz for just 136.
The result left Hyderabad level on points with Lahore Qalandars, but they advanced to the playoffs on superior net run-rate, securing the final qualification spot.
Reacting to Rizwan’s comments in a recent interview with a local sports platform, Usama Mir expressed strong disappointment over the tone of the remarks, questioning the authority of such judgments given inconsistent performances on the field.
“I was extremely disappointed by his press conference. They themselves haven’t played good cricket, yet they are saying others do not deserve it. I was shocked. Did you deserve it? Who are you to decide that?” Mir questioned.
He further highlighted what he described as a contradiction between performances and public statements.
“You go into a press conference and say that the team did not deserve it because they got all out for 80. Your own team has been getting bowled out for around 100 throughout the tournament. What kind of remarks are these? First, you played terrible cricket, and then you conduct a press conference as if you have achieved something extraordinary,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Kingsmen’s PSL campaign ended in disappointment as they failed to secure the title in their debut season. They lost the final against Peshawar Zalmi in a low-scoring contest at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
After being put into bat, Kingsmen were restricted to 129 all out in 18 overs. Despite a fighting half-century from Saim Ayub, who scored 54 off 50 balls, the rest of the batting line-up failed to build partnerships.
In reply, Zalmi found themselves under early pressure at 40-4 before Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad revived the chase with an 85-run partnership.
Samad made 48 off 34 balls, while Hardie remained unbeaten on 56 off 39 deliveries to guide Zalmi to victory with 28 balls remaining and five wickets in hand.
