KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi produced a dominating all-round performance to crush Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday, becoming the first team to book their spot in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 final.
Chasing a mammoth target of 222 runs, United folded for just 151 in 18.4 overs as Zalmi’s bowlers led by Aaron Hardie (3/24) and Sufiyan Muqeem (2/25) ripped through the opposition batting lineup.
Clinical all-round display from Peshawar Zalmi led from the front by skipper Babar Azam’s century sees them storm into the HBL PSL 11 final 🥳#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/Tlw02iyDSm
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 28, 2026
Babar’s masterclass sets the platform
Earlier, Peshawar captain Babar Azam played a captain’s knock of 103 runs off 59 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and four sixes. He found aggressive support from Mohammad Haris (35 off 16) and Kusal Mendis (41 off 26) as Zalmi posted an imposing 221 for 7 after being sent in to bat.
Shadab Khan was the pick of United’s bowlers with three wickets, but his efforts proved insufficient against Zalmi’s batting firepower.
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊! 𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 🙌🏼#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/8qruqqGUXt
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 28, 2026
United’s chase falls apart
Islamabad’s chase never gained momentum. Openers Devon Conway (20) and Sameer Minhas (44) provided a 58-run stand, but the dismissal of Conway triggered a collapse.
Aaron Hardie triggered the middle-order destruction, removing Shadab Khan (6) and Haider Ali (8) in quick succession.
Aaron Hardie gets his third wicket 🔥#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra | #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/mF7kFsjESF
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 28, 2026
Sufiyan Muqeem choked the run flow with his economical spell, while Mohammad Basit wrapped up the tail with two wickets. Imad Wasim fought back with a late 22 off 15 balls, but it was too little too late as United were bowled out for 151.
With this emphatic victory, Peshawar Zalmi have qualified directly for the PSL 11 final, scheduled to be played on May 3 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Islamabad United, meanwhile, will get a second chance. They will now face the winner of the first eliminator, with the victor of that match advancing to the final to meet Zalmi again.
