Marnus Labuschagne has been appointed captain of the Hyderabad Kingsmen franchise in the Pakistan Super League. Labuschagne was a direct signing for Kingsmen, and becomes the third Australian to be appointed captain of a PSL side this year, after David Warner for the Karachi Kings and Ashton Turner for Multan Sultans.
Labuschagne has never captained any T20 side previously and is not a regular on the T20 circuit. He has played just one T20I, and only four T20 matches since the end of July 2024, all of them for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. While primarily a top-order batter, he can also bowl legspin or medium pace, and has 40 wickets in 59 T20s.
Kingsmen, one of two new entrants into the PSL, were the last side to officially announce a captain. There wasn’t a standout choice within the roster, with limited captaincy pedigree at T20 level. Glenn Maxwell, Kusal Perera and Saim Ayub were among the other high-profile signings, but Labuschagne – the first player confirmed to the team by way of direct signing – ended up getting the leadership role.
Labuschagne will link up with fellow Australian Jason Gillespie, who was appointed the franchise’s head coach, who has previously served as Pakistan head coach in Test cricket. Another former Pakistan coach is also part of the Kingsmen’s coaching staff, with Grant Bradburn appointed fielding coach.
The PSL begins with the Kingsmen playing the tournament opener. They take on three-time champions Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium on 26 March.
