LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen by 5 wickets in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, clinching their second title after their maiden triumph in 2017.
The victory marked a historic moment for Babar Azam, who lifted the PSL trophy as captain for the first time. Zalmi successfully chased a modest target of 130 runs, finishing the game in 15.2 overs.
Despite a spirited bowling performance from Hyderabad Kingsmen—who had earlier dismissed Zalmi’s top order cheaply—their low total proved insufficient on a batting-friendly surface.
Hyderabad Kingsmen Innings
After winning the toss, Hyderabad Kingsmen struggled to build momentum with the bat. Although their pacers made early breakthroughs—including the dismissal of key Zalmi top-order batters within the first few overs—their batting lineup failed to capitalize on the advantage.
At one stage, Kingsmen were 71 for 2, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose five wickets for just 19 runs, slipping to 90 for 7.
Key contributions included:
- Saim Ayub: 54 off 50 balls
- M. Labuschagne: 20
- Hasan Khan: 12
- Moaz Sadaqat: 11
Kingsmen were eventually bowled out for 129 in 18 overs.
For Zalmi, Aaron Hardie was the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 27, while Naheed Rana took 2 for 22. Sufyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit also picked up a wicket each. Mohammad Ali was the most successful bowler for Kingsmen with 3 for 38.
Zalmi’s Chase
Peshawar Zalmi began their chase cautiously but lost early wickets, including Mohammad Haris for 6 and Babar Azam for a low score. Babar, however, finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 588 runs, narrowly missing Fakhar Zaman’s record.
At one point, Zalmi were under pressure at 7 for 2, but Kushal Mendis and Aaron Hardie stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership.
Kushal Mendis scored 9, while Hardie played a match-winning knock of 56 off 39 balls. Abdul Samad also contributed 38 off 34 balls, sharing an 85-run stand with Hardie for the fifth wicket.
Zalmi reached the target comfortably, finishing at 130 for 5 in 15.2 overs to seal the championship.
Turning Points
Hyderabad Kingsmen had earlier threatened with a strong bowling spell, reducing Zalmi’s top order early. However, their inability to defend a low total proved decisive.
Despite their defeat, Kingsmen earned praise for their fighting spirit throughout the tournament.
Tournament Highlights
The PSL 11 closing ceremony featured performances by Atif Aslam, Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Aima Baig, and the Sabri Brothers. The event was hosted by Wasim Akram and Zainab Abbas, with former cricketer Zaheer Abbas also in attendance. The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display.
Individual Awards:
- Top Run-Scorer: Babar Azam (588 runs)
- Top Wicket-Taker: Sufyan Muqeem (22 wickets)
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 20 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 2010.
