Peshawar Zalmi End Nine-Year Title Drought with Clinical Win Over Hyderabad Kingsmen

Key facts

• Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen by 5 wickets with 28 balls remaining in the PSL 11 final on May 3, 2026.
• Hyderabad Kingsmen scored 129 runs; Peshawar Zalmi reached 130/5 in 15.2 overs.
• Aaron Hardie took 4 wickets for 27 runs and scored a counterattacking 35 off 20 balls.
• Saim Ayub scored a patient 54 off 50 deliveries for the Kingsmen.
• Babar Azam won his first major PSL title as captain of Peshawar Zalmi.
• Nahid Rana took 2 wickets for Zalmi, including the key scalp of Glenn Maxwell for a duck.
• The match was played at a packed Lahore stadium with a fireworks display.

The Long Wait Ends

A nine-year drought evaporated under the Lahore floodlights as Peshawar Zalmi clinched the Pakistan Super League title with a five-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen, with 28 balls to spare. The moment came when young Yousaf tucked a widish delivery from Hunain through fine leg for a boundary, sparking celebrations as the stadium lights dimmed for a spectacular fireworks display. For Babar Azam, it marked his first major PSL title, ending a long personal wait for silverware in the franchise league.

Hardie's All-Round Masterclass

Aaron Hardie emerged as the architect of Zalmi's triumph, delivering a performance that swung the match decisively. With the ball, he claimed 4 wickets for 27 runs, breaking the backbone of the Kingsmen's innings. He removed Marnus Labuschagne for 20 off 12 balls, and later triggered a collapse that saw Hyderabad slump from a promising start to 73 for 6. At the crease, Hardie counterattacked under pressure, sharing a 35-run stand off 20 balls with Samad to steer Zalmi to 51 in 4.4 overs.

Kingsmen's Collapse Under Pressure

Hyderabad Kingsmen, after being put in to bat, never recovered from a middle-order meltdown. Usman Khan and Irfan Khan fell in quick succession in the sixth over, and Nahid Rana struck a decisive blow by dismissing Glenn Maxwell for a duck, caught at mid-wicket. Saim Ayub fought a lone battle with a patient 54 off 50 deliveries, but lacked support from the other end. The innings folded for a modest 129, with Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit also chipping in with a wicket each.

Zalmi's Chase and Babar's Milestone

Chasing 130, Zalmi lost early wickets including Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis, but Hardie's aggressive batting and Samad's effortless six-hitting and crisp cover drives steadied the innings. The pair's partnership of 35 runs in 4.4 overs effectively sealed the chase. For Babar Azam, the victory was particularly sweet, as he had previously faced criticism for not winning a major PSL title. The win also sparked speculation about his potential return to the Pakistan captaincy, as he has expressed openness to reclaiming the role.

A Night to Remember in Lahore

The final was played in front of a packed Lahore stadium, with fans witnessing a clinical team performance that underscored Zalmi's dominance throughout the tournament. The fireworks display that followed the winning runs symbolized the end of a fairytale run for the Kingsmen, who had exceeded expectations to reach the final. For Zalmi, it was a return to the summit, reclaiming the throne after a nine-year hiatus.

The bottom line

• Peshawar Zalmi won PSL 11 by defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by 5 wickets with 28 balls remaining.
• Aaron Hardie was the standout performer with 4/27 and a quick 35 off 20 balls.
• Babar Azam secured his first major PSL title as captain.
• Hyderabad Kingsmen's innings collapsed to 129 after being 73/6, with Saim Ayub's 54 the only resistance.
• The victory ended a nine-year title drought for Zalmi and sparked celebrations in Lahore.