Peshawar Zalmi delivered a dominant performance to book their place in the PSL 11 final.
A commanding batting display followed by disciplined bowling sealed a 70-run victory.
Babar Azam’s century proved to be the defining moment of the match.
After being sent in to bat at the National Stadium Karachi, Peshawar Zalmi piled up a formidable 221/7 in 20 overs.
Babar Azam led from the front with a 103 off 59 balls, anchoring the innings with authority. His knock included 12 fours and 4 sixes, setting the tone for a big total.
Strong support from middle order
Zalmi’s innings was further strengthened by valuable contributions from the top and middle order.
Mohammad Haris provided a quick start with 35 off 16 balls, while Kusal Mendis added 41 runs. Aaron Hardie chipped in with a brisk 20, helping the team cross the 220 mark.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan picked up 3 wickets, while Richard Gleeson claimed 2.
Islamabad United fall short in chase
Chasing a steep target of 222, Islamabad United struggled to maintain momentum and were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs.
Sameer Minhas was the top scorer with 44 runs, while contributions from others failed to build any significant partnership.
The Zalmi bowlers kept things tight, ensuring Islamabad never got close to the target.
Zalmi bowlers seal the game
Aaron Hardie starred with the ball as well, taking 3 crucial wickets.
Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit supported well with 2 wickets each, while Khurram Shahzad and Michael Bracewell chipped in with one apiece.
The collective bowling effort ensured a comprehensive victory for Zalmi.
With this win, Peshawar Zalmi have qualified for the PSL final for the fifth time—making them the team with the most final appearances in the tournament’s history.
The victory underlines their consistency and dominance in the league over the years.
What’s next for Islamabad United?
Despite the loss, Islamabad United are still in the tournament.
They will now play Eliminator 2 against either Hyderabad Kingsmen or Multan Sultans for another chance to reach the final.
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