Peshawar Zalmi delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 11 Final at Gaddafi Stadium, lifting their second PSL title and ending a long nine-year wait for the trophy.
This historic win also marked the first major title as captain for Babar Azam, adding another milestone to his career.
Hyderabad Kingsmen Innings Collapse After Promising Start
Batting first, Hyderabad Kingsmen never truly settled despite a brief promising phase. They were bowled out for 129 runs in 18 overs.
- Early setback with Maaz Sadaqat’s dismissal
- Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub added quick runs to stabilize
- Labuschagne scored a quick 20 off 12 balls
However, things fell apart quickly:
- Usman Khan managed only 8 runs
- A sudden collapse saw Hyderabad fall to 73/6
- Two crucial run-outs made matters worse
Saim Ayub stood tall amid the chaos:
- 54 runs off 50 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes)
But lack of support from the other end kept the total well below par.
Zalmi Bowling Highlights
- Aaron Hardie – 4/27 (match-defining spell)
- Nahid Rana – 2 wickets
- Sufiyan Muqeem – 1 wicket
- Mohammad Basit – 1 wicket
Peshawar Zalmi Chase Starts Early Shock, Then Complete Control
Chasing a modest 130-run target, Zalmi had a nightmare start:
- Mohammad Haris dismissed for 6
- Babar Azam out for a duck
- Score reduced to 40/4 early on
At that point, Hyderabad looked in control — but the game flipped once again.
Match-Turning Partnership Hardie & Samad Shine
The turning point came with a brilliant partnership between:
- Aaron Hardie – 56* (39 balls)
- Abdul Samad – 48 (34 balls)
The duo stitched together a crucial 85-run stand, completely shifting momentum towards Zalmi.
- Samad played aggressive strokes with 4 sixes
- Hardie anchored the chase with maturity and composure
Even after Samad’s dismissal, Hardie ensured there were no further hiccups.
Zalmi chased down the target comfortably with 5 wickets in hand and 28 balls to spare.
Hyderabad Bowling Effort
- Mohammad Ali – 3/38 (excellent early spell)
- Hunain Shah – 1 wicket
- Akif Javed – 1 wicket
Despite a strong start, Hyderabad couldn’t maintain pressure in the middle overs.
What This Victory Means
- Peshawar Zalmi win their 2nd PSL title
- First title since 2017
- Babar Azam wins his first major trophy as captain
- Hyderabad Kingsmen fall short in their debut final appearance
Match Summary
| Innings | Score |
|---|---|
| Hyderabad Kingsmen | 129 all out (18 overs) |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 130/5 (15.2 overs) |
| Award | Player |
|---|---|
| Player of the Match | Aaron Hardie |
Final Verdict
This final showcased a perfect mix of pressure, collapse, and comeback. While Hyderabad had their moments, it was Aaron Hardie’s all-round brilliance that completely turned the game.
From a four-wicket haul to a match-winning fifty, Hardie proved to be the ultimate difference-maker, guiding Peshawar Zalmi to a memorable PSL 11 triumph.
