Babar century, Hardie three-for take Peshawar Zalmi to PSL final
Babar's big-hitting in the death overs took Zalmi to 221, and their bowlers sealed a dominant 70-run win
28/04Result
Qualifier (N), Pakistan Super League at Karachi, Apr 28 2026
-
![Peshawar Zalmi]( "Peshawar Zalmi")
-
![Islamabad United]( "Islamabad United")
151 (18.4/20 ov)
Player of the Match
28/04Result
Qualifier (N), Pakistan Super League at Karachi, Apr 28 2026
-
![Peshawar Zalmi]( "Peshawar Zalmi")
-
![Islamabad United]( "Islamabad United")
151 (18.4/20 ov)
Player of the Match
Match Centre
Statistics
Best performances - Batsmen
Babar Azam
103(59) 12x4 - 4x6
Control %79%
- Productive Shot
- pull
- 20 runs
- 3x4 - 0x6
Match Details
Toss
Islamabad United , elected to field first
Player Of The Match
Series result
Peshawar Zalmi advanced
Season
Hours of play (local time)
19.00 start, First Session 19.00-20.30, Interval 20.30-20.50, Second Session 20.50-22.20
Match days
28 April 2026 - night match (20-over match)
Umpires
TV Umpires
Reserve Umpire
Match Referee
Scorecard Summary
PESHAWAR ZALMI 221/7 (20 OVERS)
- Babar Azam103 (59)
- Kusal Mendis41 (26)
- Richard Gleeson2/45 (4)
- Shadab Khan3/42 (4)
ISLAMABAD UNITED 151 (18.4 OVERS)
- Mohsin Riaz25 (20)
- Sameer Minhas44 (23)
- Aaron Hardie3/24 (4)
- Mohammad Basit2/19 (3.4)
Commentator: Rashad Mahbub
That concludes our coverage of today's PSL action. Islamabad United still have a lifeline to reach the final and will face the winner of Eliminator 1. Tomorrow is the first eliminator between the Hyderabad Kingsmen and the Multan Sultans; make sure to join us for that one. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of the ESPNcricinfo team. Lights off!
Player of the Match: Babar Azam
Safeer: "The way Zalmi has played in this PSL11, they absolutely deserve to be in the final! I hope this comment gets included as a concluding comment for Peshawar Zalmi's stunning performance "
10:42 pm Zalmi didn't just win this - they took control early and never really let go, putting together a performance that clicked in every department to seal their spot in the final. Chasing a big total, Sameer came out with real intent. He jumped on anything loose in the second over, cracking three boundaries and immediately putting the bowlers under pressure. With Conway at the other end, the two kept things ticking along nicely, mixing aggression with smart running as they pushed the score to 58 before Conway picked out the cover fielder while trying to clear the infield. At 64 for 1 after the powerplay, United looked right where they needed to be. But that's when things started to unravel. Sameer, who had looked set for something bigger, miscued a pull off Hardie and found mid-off for 44. It felt like a small mistake at the time, but it opened the door. Hardie sensed it and didn't let up. He struck again soon after, removing Shadab with a clever adjustment that showed real awareness of the situation. From there, Zalmi tightened the screws. In the field, they were sharp and switched on, the kind of effort that builds pressure without always showing up on the scoreboard. A couple of excellent catches only made things tougher for United, who suddenly found themselves chasing the game instead of the target. Imad tried to drag things back with some late contributions, but by then the required rate had climbed too high, and the belief just wasn't there anymore. Hardie led the way with three wickets, while Basit and Muqeem played their parts with two each. In the end, it was the kind of complete, disciplined performance that wins big matches - and Zalmi rarely looked like letting this one slip.
Aamir Khan : "The line up for the T20 WC 2028 should have a core consisting of - S Farhan, M Sadaqat, A Shafique, H Nawaz, F Yousaf, A Samad, A Minhas, S Muqeem, F Akram, Zaman Khan etc. Contenders needing some power and skill development with consistency are Sameer Minhas, Shamyl Hussain, K Nafay, Irfan Khan, Yasir Khan, Saad Masood etc. There should be an emphasis on picking fast bowlers who can win matches at the death overs which are currently hard to identify in the roster."
Ahmed: "Excellent length by PZ bowlers, actually they won it for PZ otherwise it could have been chased."
Peshawar Zalmi won by 70 runs
18.4
W
Mohammad Basit to Salman Mirza, OUT, Returning to the final after nearly five years, they have marched into the grand finale like the favorites they have been all season. Meet the first finalists of PSL Season 11: Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi! Basit bangs in a short pitched delivery that climbs on Mirza, who tries to take it on with a swivel pull. He only manages a thick leading edge that loops toward the fine leg region. Haris calls for it immediately, covering a significant amount of ground before safely gobbling it up in his gloves.
Salman Mirza c †Mohammad Haris b Mohammad Basit 5 (14m 7b 1x4 0x6) SR: 71.42
18.3
1
Mohammad Basit to Gleeson, 1 run, Short of a length ball and Gleeson whips it away towards deep midwicket, does not carry to the sweeper fielder
18.2
W
Mohammad Basit to Imad Wasim, OUT, Banged in short pitched ball and Imad loses his sight and shape while playing the pull shot, throws his bat at it and mistimes the stroke in the air. Basit moves to his left side and gobbles it up.
Imad Wasim c & b Mohammad Basit 22 (27m 15b 4x4 0x6) SR: 146.66
18.1
0
Mohammad Basit to Imad Wasim, no run, short pitched ball pulled away behind square, opts to retain the strike
END OF OVER:18 | 14 Runs | IU: 150/8 (72 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.33, RRR: 36.00)
- Salman Mirza5 (6b)
- Imad Wasim22 (13b)
- Khurram Shahzad3-0-38-1
- Mohammad Basit3-0-18-0
waleed : "Khurram making a case for Ali raza's inclusion in the final"
17.6
0
Khurram Shahzad to Salman Mirza, no run, good length ball attacking the stumps, plays the front foot defensive stroke cautiously
17.5
4
Khurram Shahzad to Salman Mirza, FOUR, Length ball in the slot, stands tall inside the crease and hoicks it using the flick of the wrists, one bounce and reaches the midwicket ropes! 150 up for United.
Match Coverage
All Match NewsBabar looks inward to rediscover the old mastery
He's put a prolonged slump behind him by seeking to be a better version of himself rather than trying to be someone else
Babar century, Hardie three-for take Peshawar Zalmi to PSL final
Babar's big-hitting in the death overs took Zalmi to 221, and their bowlers sealed a dominant 70-run win
PSL 2026: Fans allowed for all playoff games
The development follows Naqvi's announcement on Saturday that fans were allowed for the final
