Maxwell Shines as PSL Playoffs Approach, Smith’s Side Falls Short; Green’s Heroics Lead to Thrilling Super Over Victory

Just a day after Peter Moores highlighted Glenn Maxwell’s importance to the Melbourne Stars, the Australian all-rounder made a stunning return to form, paving the way for a knockout showdown against Steve Smith’s Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.

Maxwell smashed 70 runs off just 37 balls, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes in his explosive innings.

This powerful display helped propel the Hyderabad Kingsmen to a formidable score of 6/244. Meanwhile, fellow Australian Marnus Labuschagne could only muster five runs.

In response, Rawalpindiz were dismissed for a mere 136 runs, with recently retired Australian opener Usman Khawaja standing firm to score 66 runs off 43 deliveries. Ex-England international Sam Billings (23) was the only other player to reach double figures.

Maxwell’s half-century revitalised his form after a dismal 2026 season, where he recorded his first fifty of the year.

This knock marked the first time Maxwell had surpassed the 50-run mark since his century for Victoria in September.

His position within Australia’s short-format teams has faced mounting scrutiny, particularly after he averaged a mere 15.20 in the previous Big Bash season.

The struggles continued during the recent T20 World Cup, where Maxwell failed to make a significant impact as Australia exited in the pool stage.

Although he wasn’t the only player to falter in the tournament, his score of 31 off 32 balls in a shocking defeat to Zimbabwe exacerbated concerns about his diminishing form, and his later score of 22 off 15 against Sri Lanka did little to ease those worries.

However, his resurgence on Sunday night suggested there may yet be room for a revival in the 37-year-old’s career.

This comeback came just a day after his BBL coach Moores, a former England coach, defended the beleaguered all-rounder.

“What I admire about ‘Maxi’ is his unwavering passion for the game,” he shared with cricket.com.au.

“Maxi embodies the spirit of the Stars, and it would be a real shame to win without him, considering all he has contributed. He’s always a joy to watch. While this year hasn’t been his tournament, that can happen in T20 cricket.”

Maxwell will have the chance to back up his recent form when his team faces off against an Australian-rich Sultans side on Thursday morning AEST.

This playoff encounter follows a four-wicket defeat suffered by the Sultans against Islamabad United, with Sydney Thunder’s Chris Green (five off two) alongside Mark Chapman (69 off 33) contributing significantly during the victory.

Earlier, Smith, who scored 106 last week, added 30 runs off 19 balls at the top of the order for the Sultans, keeping up his impressive campaign.

He was one of five players to notch over 20 runs for the Sultans, but the star-studded team struggled as no one could convert their starts into substantial scores.

Fellow Australians Josh Philippe (11) and captain Ashton Turner (nine) were both unable to make a significant impact.

Green finished with solid figures of 1-29 from his four overs.

Meanwhile, Cameron Green is continuing his resurgence with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

After facing intense pressure to maintain his position midway through the season, the 26-year-old scored 34 runs off 21 balls and took 1-12 off two overs during KKR’s thrilling super over victory over Lucknow Super Giants.

The match went into the first Super Over of the season after a last-ball six from Mohammed Shami, but the drama continued as the Super Giants lost two wickets in three balls, leaving KKR needing just two runs for victory.

Following an incredible over from Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh required only one ball to clinch the win by slicing Prince Yadav to the boundary.

This victory moved KKR off the bottom of the standings into eighth place.

Green’s achievement came just a day after Australian captain Pat Cummins made his return to the field for the first time since the Ashes.

The fast bowler was in fine form, taking 1-27 from his four overs during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals.

Cummins bowled out Royals captain Riyan Parag for just five runs.

Despite fellow Aussie Travis Head contributing only five at the top of the order, Cummins didn’t need to bat, as the Sunrisers reached their target with nine balls remaining.