Peshawar Zalmi clinched the Pakistan Super League Season 11 Final title after defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in a thrilling encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
All-rounder Aaron Hardie delivered a match-winning performance with both bat and ball as Zalmi successfully chased a target of 130 runs with 28 balls to spare.
Hardie Powers Zalmi to Glory
Hardie was the standout performer of the final, producing a brilliant unbeaten 56 off 39 deliveries and earlier claiming four wickets to dismantle the Kingsmen batting lineup.
His all-round brilliance proved decisive in Zalmi’s second PSL title victory, ending a nine-year wait since their maiden triumph in 2017.
Early Collapse, Calm Recovery
The chase began dramatically as Zalmi lost captain Babar Azam for a duck in the opening over. Mohammad Haris also fell cheaply, leaving Zalmi under early pressure.
However, Hardie and Abdul Samad rebuilt the innings with an 85-run partnership that shifted momentum firmly in Zalmi’s favour. Samad scored a valuable 48 off 34 balls before being dismissed in the 15th over.
Hardie remained composed throughout, guiding Zalmi home with calculated stroke play.
Kingsmen’s Batting Struggles
Earlier, Kingsmen were bowled out for 129 in 18 overs after being put into bat by Babar Azam.
Their innings saw early setbacks, including the dismissal of opener Maaz Sadaqat and skipper Marnus Labuschagne.
Saim Ayub top-scored for Kingsmen with 54 off 50 balls, but regular wickets and middle-order collapses restricted their total.
Bowling Highlights
Hardie led the bowling attack with figures of 4/27, while Zalmi’s bowling unit maintained tight control throughout the innings. Nahid Rana also contributed with two wickets, ensuring Kingsmen never recovered from early damage.
For Kingsmen, Mohammad Ali stood out with three wickets, but lacked support from the rest of the attack.
Historic Win for Zalmi
This victory marks a historic moment for Zalmi, securing their second PSL title and delivering a maiden championship triumph as captain for Babar Azam.
The win also cements Aaron Hardie’s status as one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Conclusion
The PSL 11 final delivered high drama, early collapses, and a dominant all-round performance from Zalmi, who emerged deserved champions after a complete team effort.