Peshawar Zalmi claimed their second triumph in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by narrowly defeating the Hyderabad Kingsmen by four wickets in an electrifying match held at the National Bank Stadium. The contest reached its climax as Zalmi chased down a target of 146 runs during the final over.
The chase started on a fragile note for Peshawar Zalmi, with Mohammad Haris dismissed early after scoring 11 runs. Nevertheless, captain Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis steadied the innings through a composed partnership. Babar led the charge with a top score of 43 runs, while Mendis contributed 27, complemented by Michael Bracewell’s valuable 25 runs.
The momentum shifted when Babar’s dismissal reignited the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s hopes, setting up a tense finish. With 14 runs needed off the last six balls, experienced Iftikhar Ahmed took control. Demonstrating exceptional calm under pressure, Ahmed struck an unbeaten 15 runs in the final over, supported by Aamir Jamal, to secure the win with deliveries to spare.
Earlier, the Hyderabad Kingsmen were restricted to 145 runs after being put into bat. Kusal Perera was the standout performer for the Kingsmen, scoring a brilliant 58, while captain Marnus Labuschagne added 27 runs. The middle and lower order collapsed under a disciplined bowling attack led by Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem, who each took four wickets to dismantle the batting lineup.
This victory strengthens Peshawar Zalmi’s position in the PSL standings, while the Hyderabad Kingsmen face continued challenges as they seek to improve their campaign.
