KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen by 4 wickets in the 15th match of the PSL 2026 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. The win was largely driven by a dominant performance from Zalmi’s bowlers, who limited the Kingsmen to a modest total. Hyderabad Kingsmen struggled to make an impact, suffering their third consecutive defeat of the tournament.
Peshawar Zalmi chased the target in a calm and composed manner, though the contest tightened dramatically in the closing overs as the match built up to a sensational finish that stretched right to the final ball.
Captain Babar Azam led from the front with a fluent 43, striking six crisp boundaries, while Kusal Mendis contributed 27 with the help of two towering sixes. Michael Bracewell also played a valuable hand with 25 runs, hammering two boundaries and a six, as the trio laid the foundation for the chase.
Zalmi eventually hunted down the 146-run target, although the drama unfolded deep into the final over, with the side losing six wickets along the way.
Chasing the target began on a slightly shaky note as opener Mohammad Haris departed early for 11 off just six deliveries, an innings that included a four and a six. Maheesh Theekshana claimed his wicket, Zalmi at 17-1 in just 1.5 overs.
Following the early setback, Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis stitched together a crucial partnership that steadied the innings. The pair rotated the strike smartly and punished the loose deliveries, guiding Zalmi past the 50-run mark while laying a solid platform for the chase.
The important 49-run partnership was broken when Saim Ayub struck with the ball, dismissing Mendis. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter scored 27 off 23 deliveries, an innings decorated with one boundary and two sixes, leaving Zalmi at 66-2 in 8.2 overs.
Michael Bracewell then joined Babar Azam at the crease, and the duo continued to keep the scoreboard moving. Their sensible approach and timely boundaries ensured the momentum stayed with Zalmi as they carried the total past the 100-run mark.
Saim Ayub struck once again to claim his second wicket of the evening, removing Bracewell for a brisk 25 off 19 balls, which included two fours and a six. The dismissal ended a productive 38-run partnership and reduced Zalmi to 104-3 in 13.4 overs.
The pressure briefly mounted when Babar Azam was dismissed on the final delivery of the 15th over. Hassan Khan brought an end to the skipper’s well-crafted knock of 43 off 37 balls, which featured six elegant boundaries.
Zalmi found themselves under further pressure when Mohammad Ali removed Farhan Yousaf for 15 off 13 deliveries, an innings that included two fours.
Hunain Shah soon followed it up by dismissing Abdul Samad for just one, leaving Zalmi wobbling at 125-6 in 17.1 overs. With 14 runs required from the final over, the tension reached its peak. Hunain Shah conceded the decisive runs as Iftikhar Ahmed held his nerve to remain unbeaten on 15 off 10 deliveries, striking a four and a six. Aamer Jamal chipped in with six crucial runs, guiding Peshawar Zalmi to a thrilling victory in a nerve-wracking finish.
Earlier Hyderabad Kingsmen batted first against Peshawar Zalmi after Zalmi won the toss, and the decision to invite them to bat proved to be a wonderful one for the Peshawar side, as wickets kept falling regularly. The only resistance came through the fifth wicket partnership between Kusal Perera and Marnus Labuschagne, who added 82 runs off 55 balls on 5th wicket. However, apart from that stand, the batters of the new franchise failed to stabilise or consolidate their position at any stage of the innings.
As many as seven batters of Hyderabad Kingsmen failed to reach double figures, and among them four batters were dismissed for zero (0).
Iftikhar Ahmed scythed through the Kingsmen’s top order, claiming four wickets in a span of eight balls. Peshawar Zalmi, who were placed fifth on the points table among the eight franchises, had won one and lost one match so far.
Meanwhile, their opponents Hyderabad Kingsmen were yet to open their account after three encounters in the campaign.
