Peshawar Zalmi defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen by 5 wickets to clinch PSL 11 title

ISLAMABAD: Marnus Labuschagne’s Hyderabad Kingsmen are set to face Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi in the final of the Pakistan Super League 11 tonight at Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with both sides chasing glory and a shot at lifting the coveted trophy.

On the back of Babar Azam’s record 588-run tally, Kusal Mendis’ 541 runs and Sufyan Moqim’s 21 wickets, Peshawar Zalmi won eight of their 10 matches in the league stage including a seven-match winning streak.

They outclassed Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier on 28 April to secure the ticket for the final. Express fast bowler Nahid Rana has also rejoined the Peshawar Zalmi squad and will be available for selection. He picked up seven wickets in four league matches for Zalmi.

“We have played really good cricket in the tournament. Our focus has been on assessing the conditions first and then executing the plans,” Peshawar Zalmi captain Azam said at a pre-final presser.

“The performance of our team this season has been a combined effort of the local and overseas players. We hope to win the trophy by giving our best. It will also be great to play in front of a jam-packed stadium.”

Hyderabad Kingsmen began their campaign with three outright losses by 69 runs against Qalandars, by 40 runs versus Gladiators and by six wickets against Sultans. Their fourth consecutive loss came against Peshawar Zalmi as the two teams played out a last-ball thriller. Zalmi chased the 146-run target with four wickets in hand.

Kingsmen then won four matches on the trot before falling flat against Islamabad United. Kingsmen knocked out Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 and came from behind to stun Islamabad United by two runs in the Eliminator 2.

“Leading Hyderabad Kingsmen has been really