Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final at Gaddafi Stadium ,Lahore to lift their second title and end a nine-year wait for the trophy.
The win marked Zalmi’s first PSL crown since 2017 and also handed Babar Azam his first major title as captain.
Chasing 130, Zalmi reached the target with five wickets down and 28 balls to spare, but the run chase got off to a poor start when Mohammad Ali struck twice in the opening over. He removed Mohammad Haris for six and then dismissed Babar for a duck to leave Zalmi under early pressure.
Kusal Mendis and Aaron Hardie tried to steady the innings, but Mendis fell for nine after adding 26 runs with the Australian all-rounder. Michael Bracewell also departed cheaply as Zalmi slipped to 40/4.
From there, Hardie and Abdul Samad turned the game around with a crucial 85-run stand that put Zalmi firmly in control. Samad played an aggressive hand with 48 off 34 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes before falling in the 15th over.
Hardie stayed unbeaten till the end and finished with 56 off 39 deliveries, striking nine boundaries to guide Zalmi home.
For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Mohammad Ali was the standout bowler with 3/38, while Hunain Shah and Akif Javed picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Zalmi’s decision to bowl first proved decisive as they dismissed Hyderabad Kingsmen for 129 in 18 overs.
The Kingsmen lost Maaz Sadaqat early, but Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub kept the innings moving with a quick partnership. Labuschagne made 20 off 12 balls before Aaron Hardie removed him in the fifth over.
Usman Khan could only score eight, and Hyderabad then suffered a collapse that badly hurt their chances. They lost three more wickets in the space of eight deliveries, including two run-outs, and slipped to 73/6.
Saim Ayub tried to hold the innings together and top-scored with 54 off 50 balls, including five fours and two sixes, but he did not get enough support from the rest of the batting line-up.
Hardie was outstanding with the ball as well, finishing with 4/27 in four overs. Nahid Rana took two wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit claimed one each.
After starring with both bat and ball, Hardie emerged as the difference-maker as Peshawar Zalmi beat Hyderabad Kingsmen to win the PSL 11 title.
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