National ( The cow news digital ) Peshawar Zalmi secured a dominant 70-run victory over Islamabad United in the Qualifier of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11, booking their place in the final in a commanding performance.
In the match played at Karachi, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and opted to field first. Peshawar Zalmi capitalized on the decision, posting a strong total of 221 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Batting star Babar Azam led from the front with a brilliant century, scoring 103 runs off 59 deliveries. His innings marked his 13th T20 century and fourth in PSL history, further strengthening his reputation as one of the league’s most consistent performers.
Supporting contributions came from Mohammad Haris, who scored 35 runs, and Kushal Mendis, who added 41 runs to the total. Aaron Hardie also chipped in with a quick 20-run cameo, helping Zalmi set a challenging target.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan was the standout bowler with three wickets, while Richard Gleeson claimed two wickets during the innings.
Chasing 222, Islamabad United struggled against disciplined bowling and lost wickets at regular intervals. The team was eventually bowled out for 151 runs, falling well short of the target.
Samir Minhas was the top scorer for Islamabad United with 44 runs, but the lack of partnerships cost the team dearly. Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling attack dominated the innings, with Aaron Hardie taking three wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit claimed two wickets each.
With this comprehensive victory, Peshawar Zalmi advanced to the PSL 11 final, marking their fifth appearance in the tournament’s final. This achievement makes them the most frequent finalists in PSL history.
Despite the defeat, Islamabad United remain in contention for a second chance at reaching the final. The team will now face the loser of the Eliminator 2 match between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans in a do-or-die encounter scheduled for Friday.
Cricket analysts praised Zalmi’s all-round performance, highlighting Babar Azam’s century and the disciplined bowling effort as key factors behind their emphatic win.
The stage is now set for an exciting PSL 11 final as Peshawar Zalmi aim to convert their strong form into championship glory.
