Babar Azam Lifts PSL Trophy as Zalmi End Final Jinx

Key facts

• Babar Azam scored the fastest century in PSL history during the tournament.
• Peshawar Zalmi won the PSL 11 final, their second title after finishing runners-up three times.
• Zalmi shared the record for most finals losses (3) with Multan Sultans before this win.
• Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis need 35 more runs to break the record for most prolific partnership in a single PSL season.
• Ali Raza, aged 16, became the youngest player to take a PSL hat-trick, bowling at 149.1 km/h.
• Fakhar Zaman scored 103 in a match, setting multiple PSL records.
• The final was played in front of a full crowd in Karachi.
• Nahid Rana was granted a No Objection Certificate to return for the final.

A Captain's Coronation in Karachi

Babar Azam was lifted onto his teammates' shoulders, a moment that crystallised his journey from prolific run-scorer to title-winning captain. The Peshawar Zalmi skipper had just sealed his first T20 championship as leader, ending a streak of three final defeats that had haunted the franchise. The victory came before a full house in Karachi, where the noise of 30,000 fans underscored the event's significance. For Babar, it was the culmination of a tournament in which he had already smashed the fastest century in PSL history, rewriting record books even before the trophy was secured.

How Zalmi Overcame Their Final Curse

Zalmi entered the final with a 1-3 record in PSL finals, the joint-worst among teams with multiple appearances. Only Multan Sultans had lost as many title matches. But this time, the team's relentless consistency through the league stage — finishing top of the table — gave them the edge. Their opponents, the Kingsmen, arrived with momentum as the lowest-placed qualifier, hoping to repeat last year's feat when Lahore Qalandars won from fourth place. That had been a PSL first; a second consecutive such upset would have rewritten the narrative. Instead, Zalmi's depth held firm.

Babar and Mendis: A Record in the Making

Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis have formed the most prolific opening partnership of PSL 11, needing just 35 more runs to surpass Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood's 2022 record for the highest partnership aggregate in a single season. Their chemistry has been a cornerstone of Zalmi's campaign. Glenn Maxwell, in the spotlight alongside Babar, provided explosive middle-order cameos that turned tight games. The Australian's presence added a layer of unpredictability that opposing captains struggled to counter.

Teenage Sensation and Record-Breaking Feats

The tournament showcased emerging talent, none more striking than 16-year-old Ali Raza, who claimed the youngest PSL hat-trick with deliveries clocked at 149.1 km/h. His thunderbolts lit up social media and signaled a new generation of Pakistani fast bowling. Fakhar Zaman's 103 in an earlier match set multiple PSL records, while a viral video fulfilled a cancer-stricken boy's wish to meet Shahid Afridi — a moment that transcended sport. The league also saw the contrasting fortunes of Sameer Rizvi and Sameer Minhas, who lit up the IPL and PSL respectively.

The Two Lives of Usman Khan and the Enigma of T20

Usman Khan continued his PSL juggernaut, amassing runs with a consistency that belies his struggles in T20 internationals. His domestic dominance versus international inconsistency remains a puzzle for selectors. Marnus Labuschagne, reflecting on the tournament, said: "It's amazing what happens when you instil belief in guys." His comment captured the ethos of a league where faith in young players often yields extraordinary results.

What Comes Next for PSL and Its Stars

With the final concluded, attention turns to the upcoming PSL season and the retention of key players. Nahid Rana's NOC to return for the final highlighted the league's pull, even for overseas stars. The record books now show a new champion, but the broader story is of a league maturing: from a single upset winner last year to a second consecutive lowest-seed finalist, the PSL's competitive balance is deepening. For Babar Azam, the captain's trophy may finally silence questions about his leadership in T20 cricket.

The bottom line

• Babar Azam won his first T20 title as captain, leading Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL championship.
• Zalmi overcame a 1-3 finals record, the joint-worst among PSL teams with multiple final appearances.
• Babar and Mendis are 35 runs away from breaking the record for most partnership runs in a single PSL season.
• 16-year-old Ali Raza became the youngest PSL hat-trick taker, bowling at 149.1 km/h.
• Fakhar Zaman's 103 set multiple PSL records, and a viral video fulfilled a cancer patient's wish to meet Shahid Afridi.
• The lowest-placed qualifier reached the final for the second consecutive year, indicating growing parity in the league.