LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) —
Aaron Hardie delivered a standout all-round performance that led Peshawar Zalmi to its first Pakistan Super League (PSL) title since 2017, defeating newcomer Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final on Sunday. The victory came with a five-wicket win over Hyderabad, who managed to score only 129 all out in 18 overs. Saim Ayub contributed a resilient half-century with 54 runs, while Hardie took 4-27 to restrict the opposition. In response, Peshawar Zalmi chased down the target with ease, reaching 130-5 in 15.2 overs. Hardie played a crucial role with an unbeaten 56 off 39 balls, guiding his team to victory in front of a packed crowd at Gaddafi Stadium.
“It’s a very big achievement for me, for Peshawar Zalmi and all the fans,” said Peshawar captain Babar Azam after securing his first PSL title as skipper. “Throughout the tournament, we’ve performed really well as a team … every player executed the plans they were given in batting, bowling, and fielding. We planned to go match by match.”
Peshawar, which won the toss and opted to chase, faced early setbacks, slipping to 40-4 within the first five overs. Babar Azam was dismissed for a golden duck, while Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis, and Michael Bracewell also fell for single-digit scores. However, Hardie, who hit nine fours, then formed a vital partnership of 85 runs with Abdul Samad (48), who narrowly missed a half-century before being caught in the deep when Peshawar needed just five runs for victory.
“It was just a great game of cricket,” Hardie said. “Kingsmen came out of the blocks really hard. They’ve certainly had a lot of momentum from the last couple of games, and they carried that in, but I’m really proud of the way the boys were able to fight back.”
Peshawar was considered the favorite for the PSL 2026 title after losing only one game in the tournament. Babar Azam scored two centuries, matching Fakhar Zaman’s PSL record of 588 runs in one edition.
Hyderabad started strongly in the power play, scoring 69-2 despite Hardie dismissing captain Marnus Labuschagne (20) with a catch behind. Maaz Sadaqat showed aggression early on, but his innings was cut short after he pulled pace bowler Mohammad Basit to deep backward square leg in the first over.
However, Hyderabad lost momentum quickly, collapsing to 73-6 in the space of nine balls after scoring just two runs. The slide began when Usman Khan, who had scored half-centuries in the last three games, was trapped leg before wicket by Sufyan Moqim (1-23). Irfan Khan and Kusal Perera were run out due to sharp fielding by Bracewell, and Glenn Maxwell was dismissed by Nahid Rana (2-22) in the first ball of his innings.
Ayub extended the total beyond the 100-run mark with a knock of 54 off 50 balls before being caught by Hardie’s last over. Hardie then wrapped up the innings by having No. 11 batter Akif Javed caught behind.
“As a batting group, we probably left a few runs out there,” Labuschagne said. “We showed once again that belief in the side and what we can do, putting them four for 40, but just not enough runs on the board tonight.”
Hyderabad had a remarkable run in the tournament, bouncing back after losing its first four league games and eliminating both former champions, Multan Sultans and Islamabad United, in the playoffs.
“Tonight hurts,” Labuschagne said. “But reflecting on what an amazing tournament we’ve put together, coming from four losses to winning four in a row, getting bowled out for 80, then winning by 100, and then winning two games to get into the final. We’ve made so many great memories, and I’m just so proud of the team; it’s been an awesome effort.”
