by: Shakeel Ur Rehman
A sensational century by Babar Azam guided Peshawar Zalmi to a dominant 70-run victory over Islamabad United in the Qualifier of the Pakistan Super League 11at a packed National Bank Stadium.
The comprehensive win propelled Zalmi into their first PSL final in five years, while Islamabad United will have another chance to qualify when they feature in Eliminator 2 at Lahore.
Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam delivered a captain’s knock under pressure, smashing a brilliant 103 off 59 balls his fourth PSL century and 12th in T20 cricket. His innings, studded with 12 boundaries and four sixes, laid the foundation for Zalmi’s imposing total of 221 for seven.
In doing so, Babar equalled the record of Usman Khan for the most centuries in PSL history and also registered his second hundred of the ongoing season.
Zalmi got off to a flying start courtesy of an aggressive opening partnership between Babar and Mohammad Haris. The duo added 72 runs in just 38 deliveries, dismantling Islamabad’s bowling attack early on.
Muhammad Haris was particularly destructive, scoring 35 off just 16 balls with five fours and two sixes before falling to Shadab Khan. The powerplay yielded 68 runs — the highest Islamabad United have conceded in that phase in the tournament.
Following Haris’ departure, Kusal Mendis joined Babar to maintain the momentum. The pair stitched together a vital 84-run partnership for the second wicket, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace.
Mendis played an enterprising knock of 41 from 26 balls, hitting five fours and a six before being dismissed by Faheem Ashraf with the score at 156 for two.
Late Surge Takes Zalmi Past 220
Islamabad briefly clawed back through Shadab Khan, who removed Michael Bracewell and Abdul Samad in successive deliveries. However, Babar continued to dominate, reaching his century in style with a six off Richard Gleeson in the 18th over.
Even after Babar’s dismissal, Aaron Hardie provided the finishing touches with a quickfire 20 off 10 balls, lifting Zalmi to a formidable total.
Shadab was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 42, while Gleeson picked up two wickets.
Chasing a daunting 222, Islamabad United began aggressively through Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas. The pair raced to 58 runs in just five overs, with the half-century stand coming in only 23 balls.
Conway scored 20 before falling to Michael Bracewell, but Sameer continued the charge, scoring a brisk 44 off 23 balls, including seven fours and a six. At 81 for two in nine overs, Islamabad looked in contention.
However, the match turned dramatically as Zalmi bowlers triggered a collapse. Islamabad lost five wickets for just 33 runs, slipping from 81-2 to 114-7 by the 14th over.
Sufyan Moqim and Aaron Hardie were instrumental during this phase, dismantling the middle order and halting Islamabad’s momentum.
Despite a late cameo of 22 from 15 balls by Imad Wasim, Islamabad were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs. Mohammad Basit wrapped up the innings, finishing with two wickets.
Hardie returned impressive figures of 3 for 24, while Sufyan claimed 2 for 25, continuing his outstanding tournament form.
Babar Azam’s remarkable season continued as he climbed to the top of the run-scoring charts, overtaking teammate Kusal Mendis. With 588 runs in 10 matches at an average of 84, he now holds the tournament’s leading run-scorer title.
He also equalled Fakhar Zaman’s record for most runs in a single PSL season and became the first player to score over 500 runs in four separate editions (2021, 2023, 2024, and 2026). Peshawar Zalmi advance directly to the PSL 11 final. Islamabad United, meanwhile, will face the winner of Eliminator 1 in Eliminator 2 at Gaddafi Stadium on 1 May.
Eliminator 1 will see Multan Sultans take on Hyderabad Kingsmen at the same venue.
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