LAHORE: Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy has expressed his delight after Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen to win the PSL 11 title in a commanding final at Gaddafi Stadium.
Sammy, who led Zalmi to their maiden title in 2017, took to Instagram to celebrate the victory, resharing a graphic of the team under the caption “CHAMPIONS OF PSL 11”, reflecting pride in the franchise’s latest success.
The win marked a significant milestone for Babar Azam, who secured his first major trophy as captain, ending a long wait for silverware since taking on leadership roles in recent years.
Zalmi delivered a clinical performance in the final, opting to bowl first and restricting Kingsmen to 129 in 18 overs. Despite a steady knock from Saim Ayub, who scored 54 off 50 balls, Kingsmen struggled to build partnerships.
In reply, Zalmi faced early setbacks, slipping to 40-4 before a decisive 85-run partnership between Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad turned the game. Samad contributed a quick 48, while Hardie remained unbeaten on 56 from 39 deliveries.
Zalmi comfortably chased down the target with five wickets in hand and 28 balls to spare, ending a nine-year title drought.
The victory highlights a strong turnaround for the franchise, with experienced leadership and key performances proving decisive in the tournament’s biggest match.
