Peshawar Zalmi ended a nine-year wait for Pakistan Super League glory with a comprehensive five-wicket victory over debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 11 final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, sparking jubilant reactions from fans across the cricketing world.
All-rounder Aaron Hardie emerged as the star of the night, delivering a match-winning performance with both ball and bat. His four-wicket haul restricted the Kingsmen to a modest total before anchoring the chase with an unbeaten half-century to guide Zalmi home with 28 balls to spare. Chasing 130, Zalmi approached the target with calm authority, sealing victory for the loss of five wickets.
The triumph marked Zalmi’s second PSL title – their first since 2017 – and a significant personal milestone for captain Babar Azam, who lifted his first major T20 trophy as skipper. The win also denied the Hyderabad Kingsmen a dream debut season ending, although their impressive run to the finals as first-timers drew much praise.
Fans flooded social media with celebratory reactions following Peshawar Zalmi’s title win, with supporters enjoying the franchise’s second PSL crown and hailing a competitive, entertaining season.
Federal Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar was all praise for the match, praising the “great game of cricket” and the country’s efforts to stage another successful season of the PSL.
Amid the wider celebrations, much of the spotlight turned to Babar’s leadership, with fans praising his composed captaincy and resilience throughout the tournament, hailing the triumph as a long-awaited milestone in his career.
