“Belief and trust are the secrets to our success: Labuschagne on Hyderabad’s miraculous journey
“Belief and trust are the secrets to our success: Labuschagne on Hyderabad’s miraculous journey
By Nawaz Gohar : Hyderabad Kings captain Marnus Labuschagne reflected on his team’s extraordinary journey, describing it as a story of belief, trust, and courage.
On the eve of the HBL PSL 11 final, acknowledging Peshawar Zalmi’s dominance throughout the tournament, Labuschagne noted that Hyderabad had faced them before. “In that previous match, we were defending 14 runs in the last over, and they barely won. For us, the key is to keep our nerves under control and stick to our strategy; everything else will fall into place,” he said.
According to the Kings’ captain, his team’s mantra is simple: Belief and Trust. Labuschagne explained, “These are the two most important factors for any team. When you instill this in the team, you can extract the best performance from the players. We did the same. Some boys weren’t performing to expectations, but confidence changed things and we built momentum.”
He acknowledged that the team’s roller-coaster journey—which included losing the first four matches before reaching the final—was a major test of character. “Nothing good comes easily. Last night against Islamabad, it felt like we were going to win comfortably, then suddenly it looked like everything was over. But Hunain Shah defended 6 runs brilliantly in the last over. That belief, which came not only from me and the coaches but also from the ownership, has been crucial.”
Labuschagne labeled Hyderabad a “miracle team,” recalling their massive victory against Rawalpindi to reach the playoffs, their success against Multan, and the dramatic finish against Islamabad United. “This has been a special tournament for us. Hopefully, tomorrow night we will lift the trophy and complete this incredible campaign,” he said.
When asked about the famous “Australian mindset” that is being credited for Hyderabad’s courage, Labuschagne agreed that never giving up and continuing to fight is central to their approach. “After four defeats, doubts arose, but the key was to build confidence in the players. Once we found the right combination, consistency developed in the team.”
Labuschagne also touched upon the advantage of playing the last two matches in Lahore, explaining that they have become familiar with the conditions here compared to Zalmi. “It is certainly a small advantage that we have played here recently and built momentum,” he noted.
Reflecting on his personal development, Labuschagne said the PSL provided him with a valuable opportunity to grow as a T20 player and leader. “I always wanted to play more T20 cricket, but the Australian schedule is packed with Tests and ODIs. This was the perfect opportunity to hone my skills and leadership. I have enjoyed every moment, and hopefully, I will perform well tomorrow to put the team in a position to win the final.”
Commenting on the Eliminator win, Labuschagne admitted he was almost speechless after Hunain Shah’s heroics. “It looked like we were going home, and then Hunain stepped up and bowled 6 yorkers with only four fielders to turn the match around. I cannot describe what we did. We have become ‘that’ team, and thinking about it gives me goosebumps.”
As Hyderabad prepares for their first PSL final, Labuschagne’s words reflect the spirit of a team that has defeated adversity, embraced belief, and turned failures into miracles. For the Kings, tomorrow’s clash against Zalmi is not just about lifting the trophy, but about completing a journey that has already breathed new life into the tournament.
