Babar Azam Lifts First T20 Title as Peshawar Zalmi Win PSL 2026 Final

Key facts

• Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen by 5 wickets in the PSL 2026 final.
• Aaron Hardie was named Player of the Match for his 56* off 39 balls and 4/27 bowling figures.
• Babar Azam won his first T20 title as captain, ending Peshawar Zalmi's long title drought.
• The match was played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on an unspecified date.
• Peshawar Zalmi opted to bowl first after winning the toss.
• Hyderabad Kingsmen were playing in their debut PSL season.
• Babar Azam captained Peshawar Zalmi; Marnus Labuschagne captained Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Champions Crowned in Lahore

Peshawar Zalmi have won the Pakistan Super League season 11 title, defeating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in a tense final at Gaddafi Stadium. The victory marks Babar Azam's first T20 championship as captain and ends a long title drought for the franchise. Aaron Hardie delivered a match-winning all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 39 balls and taking four wickets for 27 runs. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award as Zalmi chased down the target with relative ease.

The Match Unfolds

Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid off as Hardie's four-wicket haul restricted Hyderabad Kingsmen to a modest total. In reply, Zalmi's batting lineup, led by Hardie's composed half-century, reached the target with five wickets in hand. The on-field umpires were Ahsan Raza and Chris Gaffaney, with Alex Wharf serving as third umpire and Asif Yaqoob as fourth umpire. Roshan Mahanama acted as match referee.

Captains and Key Figures

Babar Azam, leading Peshawar Zalmi, finally achieved a breakthrough moment as a captain, with visible relief on his face as he lifted the trophy alongside Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi. His counterpart, Marnus Labuschagne, captained Hyderabad Kingsmen in their debut PSL season, falling short of a fairytale title. The final was broadcast live on multiple platforms: PTV Sports in Pakistan, Sky Sports Cricket in the UK, Willow TV in the USA and Canada, Fox Sports in Australia, SuperSport in South Africa, and Etisalat in the Middle East and North Africa.

Numbers and Milestones

Peshawar Zalmi's victory adds a second PSL title to their history, having previously won in 2017. Hyderabad Kingsmen, in their maiden season, reached the final but could not secure the championship. Hardie's all-round figures of 56* off 39 balls and 4/27 were instrumental, making him the obvious choice for Player of the Match. The win also marked Babar Azam's first T20 title as captain, a significant personal milestone.

Context and Background

The Pakistan Super League, now in its 11th season, has grown into one of the world's premier T20 leagues, attracting international talent and global viewership. Peshawar Zalmi, one of the founding franchises, have been consistent contenders but had not won the title since 2017. Hyderabad Kingsmen entered the league as an expansion team for the 2026 season, making an immediate impact by reaching the final. Their debut campaign highlighted the league's competitive nature and the growing depth of cricketing talent in Pakistan.

What Comes Next

With the PSL 2026 season concluded, attention now turns to the next edition, where defending champions Peshawar Zalmi will aim to retain their title. Hyderabad Kingsmen will look to build on their impressive debut and go one step further. The success of the final, held at Lahore's iconic Gaddafi Stadium, underscores the league's ability to stage major events and attract a global audience. The PSL continues to be a key platform for Pakistani and international cricketers alike.

A New Era for Babar Azam

For Babar Azam, the victory silences critics who questioned his captaincy credentials in T20 cricket. Lifting the PSL trophy as captain adds a prestigious accolade to his already illustrious career. As the celebrations continue in Peshawar, the franchise and its fans will savor a long-awaited triumph. The 2026 PSL final will be remembered as the night Babar Azam finally broke his title drought and led his team to glory.

The bottom line

• Peshawar Zalmi won their second PSL title, beating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the 2026 final.
• Aaron Hardie's all-round performance (56* and 4/27) earned him Player of the Match.
• Babar Azam won his first T20 title as captain, ending a long drought for Zalmi.
• Hyderabad Kingsmen reached the final in their debut season but fell short.
• The final was played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, with international broadcast coverage.
• The PSL continues to be a major T20 league, attracting global talent and viewership.